NEWBERG, Ore. -- After a six-run inning gave the George Fox baseball team a tough 5-7 loss in game one, the Bruins bounced back in game two, staging a late rally to win, 4-3.

Game One 
Neither team found home plate in the opening innings, though the Bruins did get a pair of hits from Jeremy Sangalang and Carson Coulter. Pitcher Ethan Whitney held the Blues to just two hits through the first five innings as Fox got on the board- to take a 1-0 lead. The Bruins scored off of a Jonathan Stone RBI double that brought home Brandon King.

While the Bruins gave up one run in the sixth, it was a costly seventh inning that turned the tides of the game. Whitman rattled off six hits in seven at-bats, scoring six runs to grab control of the game, 7-1. Four of the Blues' hits were singles, along with one double and a home run,

The Bruin comeback attempt started in the eighth inning, where they loaded the bases with just one out. Fox scored two on a Jared Miller RBI single, and brought one more in with a Jared Gee sac fly, drawing within three. Sangalang kept the momentum going in the ninth with a triple before an incredible diving play by third baseman Beck Maguire slammed the door shut. Fox managed one more run but got no closer in their 5-7 loss.

Game Two
Whitman jumped on the Bruins in the opening inning, putting two in scoring position before Fox could muster an out. The Blues drove home both their runners, taking a quick 2-0 lead that the Bruins could not refute in the opening innings; Fox went six-up-six-down to start the game.

After the two first-inning runs, Ryder Edwards righted the ship, not allowing an earned run for the remainder of the day. The freshman got out of a jam in the third, striking out Brock Williams to strand three runners. Fox took advantage of the opportunity, scoring two runs in the bottom of the third: an RBI from Jared Gee to bring home Matthew Sebolsky, and an RBI sac bunt from Breyndon Nakamura to score Shane McClendon.

The Blues countered in the next half-inning to take a 3-2 lead before the Bruins could strike back in the bottom of the sixth. In a throwback to last season, Fox stole four bases in the inning, scoring one run on a Carson Coulter RBI single. Though Jared Gee stole both second and third on his attempt, the senior was thrown out at home to keep the game 3-3.

Gordon Wend pitched well from the bullpen on Saturday, throwing three innings while only giving up one hit. Wend's pitching left Fox with a chance in the bottom of the eight — still knotted at three, Nakamura reached base due to an error and advanced to third on a walk and a balk. With a runner in scoring position, Carson Coulter hit a chopper through for his second RBI single of the day, giving the Bruins the 4-3 lead. Alex Abbott's number was called as the closer, pitching the ninth inning and picking up the save in Fox's win.

Top Performers
Miller and Coulter led the team with two RBIs apiece, while Sangalang led the team with five hits — four of them coming in a 4/5 performance in game one. Nakamura was the lone Bruin to score two runs on the day, and Gee led the way with two stolen bases.

Coach's Thoughts
"Really proud of the battle from these guys today," Bruin head coach Kevin Kopple said, "They kept fighting and gave us a chance to win the series."

What It Means
The Bruins now sit at 14-18 (8-12 NWC) on the season, while the Blues have a mirrored record at 17-14, 9-10 NWC). 

What Happens Next
Fox will take on the Blues once more on Saturday, looking to pick up a series win on Senior Day. First pitch of the game is scheduled for noon.