TACOMA, Wash. -- The George Fox baseball team played in two polar opposite games, falling to Pacific Lutheran in the first game, 1-2, before blowing the doors open in a 14-7 victory in game two.

Game One
The Bruins managed eight hits in the game but couldn't get a number on the scoreboard until the top of the ninth inning. Fox started the game with a base runner on third, with Jared Miller reaching thanks to a walk, a Brandon King walk, and a fly out, before Miller was left on third with a strikeout.

While Fox was unable to get more than one man on base in the next innings, the Bruin pitching was also pitching a scoreless game. Jonathan Stone kept the Lutes off the board in the first five innings, including getting out of a jam in the third where PLU had three men on base.

The Lutes finally broke through in the bottom of the sixth, loading the bases with just one out. A walk from Andrew Sutherland gave PLU the lead, extending it to two with a fielder's choice. The Bruins got two on base in the eighth, but their best chance came in the top of the ninth. 

After an out, Bleu Ellis' single gave the Bruins a glimmer of hope, one that only got bigger with a Breyndan Nakamura double to advance him to third. After another double, this one from Jared Gee, the Bruins were within one with two on base. With a chance to take the lead or tie the game, Miller grounded a ball into a double play to end the game, slamming the Bruins' comeback hopes shut, 1-2.

Game Two
After three combined runs in the first game, the floodgates opened in the second. PLU jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the third with a three-run homer, but the Bruins responded with two runs in the second to cut the deficit to one. Two innings later, Fox tied the game at three with a Jared Whitaker RBI single.

While Ethan Whitney continued dealing strikes, the Bruins extended their lead — a Jared Miller two-run shot made the score 5-3 before the Fox bats caught fire. 

Four runs on four hits in the seventh broke the game open for the Bruins. Fox loaded the bases and prompted a pitching change before the Lutes could force two outs. Bleu Ellis and Miller both drove home two runs each as Fox jumped out to a 9-3 lead. Though the Lutes closed the gap, getting the game to within two, the Bruin bats once again came to the rescue. Five runs, including three from a Nakamura home run, gave Fox the 14-7 win.

Top Performers
Jared Miller totaled a career-high six RBIs on the day, all coming in game two. Both Miller and Nakamura finished with four hits, while Brandon King had five. Whitney finished the day with the win and five strikeouts on the mound.

Coach's Thoughts
"Great response from the guys after a tough game one," Bruin head coach Kevin Kopple said, "We showed a lot of fight today and have a chance to win a series tomorrow."

What It Means 
Thanks to their second straight weekend with a 14-run game, Fox improves to 8-12 (2-7 NWC) after splitting the games today, while PLU is now 8-12 (3-9 NWC).

What Comes Next
Fox has a chance to win the series tomorrow in their final game against the Lutes. First pitch is scheduled for noon.