McMINNVILLE, Ore. – In the first game of the NWC Conference Championship tournament, the George Fox softball team beat the Pacific Luthren Lutes, 3-0, behind a complete-game gem from starting pitcher Ashley Davis. 
How It Happened
With both teams throwing their aces – Davis for Fox, and senior Cassidy Conrad for the Lutes – runs were going to be hard to come by. Through the first three innings, the Bruins were held hitless, as the game remained locked at zero. Fox picked up their first hit of the game in the fourth inning, a Sydney Sandifer single, however she was stranded on first one at-bat later. Davis stranded a runner on first to end the home half of the fourth, heading into the fifth inning the score was a 0-0 tie.

The Bruins broke through in the fifth inning, scoring two runs. Aliya Harmon picked up a single to start the inning, and Kami Gibson walked to get two base runners on board. With two on and no outs, Claire Fountain laid a sacrifice bunt to move the runners to second and third. A walk loaded the bases for left fielder Kimberly Pulido, who drove in the first run of the day with a sacrifice fly to right field. Another walk loaded the bases once more, and Sharon Tomei put the ball in play to score another run off a Lutes error. After an eventful fifth inning, the Bruins snagged the lead, 2-0. 

Davis was lights out in the fifth and sixth innings, allowing just one hit and no runs across the two innings. A Tomei sacrifice fly in the top-half of the seventh scored an insurance run for GFU, and they went into the final at-bats of the game up, 3-0. Davis gave up a double to the first Lutes batter of the seventh, putting her in a dangerous spot. Davis responded by getting the next two batters to fly out, and pop out respectively, before striking out the Lutes' third baseman to end the game. The final strikeout firmed up the win for the Bruins who took the game, 3-0.

Top Performances
Ashely Davis threw seven innings, allowing just four hits and no runs in her twelfth win of the year. Sharon Tomei had two RBIs, including a sacrifice fly, and Aliya Harmon picked up two hits and scored one run. 

Coach's Thoughts
"Ash pitched great, she definitely deserved the win," Bruin head coach Jessica Hollen said, "Excited to play again tomorrow."

What It Means
The Bruins now square off against the #1 seeded Linfield Wildcats in the winner's bracket. If they win that game, then they are in the championship on Sunday, the 23rd a loss would mean they play another game Saturday, the 22nd, for a chance at redemption as the tournament is double elimination. 

What Comes Next
The Game against the Wildcats is scheduled for a noon start time on Saturday, the 22nd. The potential second game for the Bruins would start at 5 pm.