AUSTIN, Texas. – In the final matchup of the Tommy Boggs Classic, the George Fox baseball team pushed past the Concordia (Texas) Tornadoes in an electric 11-inning game, securing the victory and a 3-1 weekend with a 4-2 win. 

How It Happened
Leadoff hitter Noah Meffert continued his stellar form with the bat, immediately getting on base with a single to left field. Meffert advanced to second off a sacrifice bunt from Evan Balingit, before a center field single by Jeremy Sangalang drove home the Bruins' first run of the game.

The Tornados leveled the score in the bottom of the second inning, after several errant pitches from freshman Taylor Franklin allowed Concordia to score on a walk. The Bruins were impressive defensively, however, picking off a runner on third with an incredible tag and leaving six Concordia batters stranded on base through the first four innings. 

With two innings remaining, the score remained tied, 1-1, though George Fox seemed to have more offensive momentum, out-hitting the Tornadoes, 6-1. 

The Bruins continued to apply offensive pressure in the eighth inning. Leadoff hitter Noah Meffert drew a walk, before two perfectly placed bunts from Evan Balingit and Jeremy Sangalang loaded the bases with no outs. Carson Coulter hit a ground ball to second base which scored Meffert, and though Fox was unable to score the other two runners, they took the lead into the bottom of the eighth, 2-1.

A leadoff double from the Tornadoes set the stage for a tense finish, and a sacrifice bunt moved Concordia's tying run to third base with one out. A line drive to left field from the next batter drove that runner home, and with one inning to play the ball game was tied up again, 2-2.   

Fox put two runners in scoring position in the ninth, but left runners stranded, Pitcher Ryan Silver made sure to extend the game, as the first two hitters for Concordia grounded out, before Silver struck out the final batter to send the game into extras

The Bruins were once again unable to bring home two men, and the game remained tied into the bottom of the 10th. And in the opening at-bats, the Tornadoes put on the pressure — recording three straight hits to load the bases. The next at-bat was one of legend, as Meffert was able to play the ground ball into home, and Coulter turned the double play to third, ending the inning and keeping the Bruins' hopes alive.

George Fox finally struck in the top of the 11th inning, as Jared Miller singled to right center, before a Meffert missile out to right field turned a triple and brought Miller home. A sacrifice fly from Mason Eastman then scored Meffert, putting the Bruins ahead, 4-2.

Ryder Edwards was brought in to put the game away for the Bruins and he delivered, as three straight ground outs from Concordia saw George Fox secure the hard-earned victory, 4-2.

Top Performances
Noah Meffert went 3-5 on the day in a performance which included three runs, one RBI and a crucial triple in the 11th inning. Jared Miller hit 2-3 and recorded one run, while Jeremy Sangalang had two hits and an RBI. 

On the mound, Andrew Sutherland held the Tornadoes to no hits for his three innings pitched, while recording to strike outs. Ryan Silver also held Concordia scoreless, striking out two batters and giving up just three hits in his two innings. Ryder Edwards earned the win.

Coach's Thoughts
Soon to come.

What It Means
The Bruins are now 3-1 on the season, and ended the Tommy Boggs Classic as the leading team. 

What Comes Next
The Bruins will play their home opener next weekend, with a doubleheader against Central Washington University on Saturday, February 24th. The first pitch is scheduled for 11am.