McMINNVILLE, Ore. – After their 10 inning thriller yesterday, the George Fox softball team struggled against the Linfield Wildcats, losing the first game, 3-1, and the second, 8-0, to finish as the runner-up in the Northwest Conference.
Game One
The Wildcats jumped out front early, scoring a run in the first inning off an RBI single. The Bruins meanwhile couldn't manage a hit until the third inning, as Linfield pitcher Tayah Kelly — whose first loss of the season came the day prior to Fox — was steller.
A solo home run from Linfield brought the lead to 2-0, before the Bruins got a player on base.
Sharon Tomei found herself in scoring position in the top of the fourth with two outs, but the Bruins could not bring her home as they went into the bottom half of the fourth.
The Wildcats tacked on another run in the sixth, putting Fox in a 3-0 hole. GFU went into their final at-bats needing a rally;
Sydney Sandifer hit a solo shot to start the inning, providing a run for the Bruins to get things going. Fox got two more runners on base to fuel their potential comeback, but stranded runners on first and second to end the game with a 3-1 loss.
Game Two
George Fox had one more shot to win the championship in a winner-take-all second matchup against the Wildcats. Linfield pounced on Fox right out of the gate, hitting a triple followed by two doubles to give themselves two runs and forcing Fox to sub out ace
Ashley Davis. Linfield then scored two more runs in the second inning as well, leaving GFU behind by four runs after two innings.
The Bruins managed just four hits in the final game of the season., with their best chance coming in the second inning. Fox loaded the bases with two outs, but failed to pick up any runs on a lineout to the second baseman. The Bruins couldn't get another runner into scoring position for the remainder of the game, with Linfield scoring four more runs in the sixth to win, 8-0.
Top Performances
In the first game,
Sydney Sandifer went 2-3 with a solo home run, providing the only run for the day for Fox.
Kamryn Potter ended her stellar Fox career with two hits on the day, while fellow seniors
Kimberly Pulido and
Emma Classen totaled a hit apiece.
Coach's Thoughts
"I am incredibly proud of our 2 5th year students who came back as well as our senior class in all they have accomplished here. I am sad we ended on the note we did, but they have nothing to be ashamed of. I love them and know they will be successful as they move forward in life," Bruin head coach
Jessica Hollen said, "Linfield is a tough team who has earned their success. We wish them luck as they move for add representing the Northwest Conference."
What It Means
George Fox ends the year with a 27-17 (18-10 NWC), and finished second in the conference after taking down the two seed Pacific Luthern Lutes, and then winning the first of three games against the Linfield Wildcats.
