GEORGETOWN, Texas -- Though the George Fox softball team took leads of seven or more in both their games against Trinity (Texas) Tigers and the Southwestern Pirates during the second day of their Texas road trip, Fox lost two heartbreakers, the first 13-12 and the second 10-7. 

How It Happened - Game One
Makayla Noone led the Bruins off in their first game of the day against Trinity with a triple to right field and scored on an error to put Fox on the board immediately. The Bruins loaded the bases on the back of a Sharon Tomei double and two walks before Aliya Harmon drew a walk that brought home one more run to put Fox up, 2-0.

Starting pitcher Emma Eastman put together three straight outs in the bottom of the first and set the stage for a monster second inning for Fox. Pitching errors loaded the bases with Bruin runners before a single for Sharon Tomei drove home Kiley Harris. A sacrifice fly from Tinley Taylor extended Fox's lead to 4-0, and Aliya Harmon drew another walk to load the bases yet again. With two outs, Sami Stadtlander was up next — and she was sure to come through, launching a grand slam to bring home all three batters and give the Bruins an eight-run lead.

Trinity scored their first run in the bottom of the third and tacked on another three runs in the bottom of the fourth after holding the Bruins scoreless, cutting into Fox's lead, 8-4, before the Bruins retaliated by drawing a leadoff walk in the fifth, which was followed by a single from Makayla Noone, who stole second to move the runners into scoring position. Kamryn Potter singled to drive home both batters.

However, Trinity refused to be put away — the Tigers scored one run in the fifth inning and three in the sixth after Fox walked four straight batters. Heading into the final inning, the Bruins were two runs ahead, 10-8.

Noone continued to impress in the seventh, leading off with a single and swiping another bag to instantly give the Bruins a chance to score. Kamryn Potter was walked before Sydney Sandifer singled to left field to move three ahead. Trinity appeared unphased, however, drawing two more walks and recording two extra-base hits to tie the game, 11-11, and send the game into extra innings.

Harmon was intentionally walked in the top of the eighth, but the next two batters were dismissed to put pressure on the Fox lineup. Yet again, it was Noone who came up clutch, hitting a two-run double to give the Bruins the lead, 13-11.

It would not be enough, though, as the Tigers hit a double and two singles in the bottom of the eighth, scoring three runners to secure the victory over Fox, 14-13. 

How It Happened - Game Two
George Fox showcased offensive firepower yet again early in the second game, but a seven-run fourth inning from the Southwestern Pirates gave the Bruins a second straight comeback loss.

Taylor opened the scoring for Fox with a home run for the second straight game, an explosive three-run shot that put the Pirates on their back foot early. Southwestern put a run on the board in the third inning after a sacrifice fly, but the momentum was still all George Fox, who racked up five hits and four more runs in the fourth. 

Sharon Tomei was driven in by an RBI single from Stadtlander, while a double by Harmon and a single by Noone scored the other two runners. The Pirates did manage to squeak a run in the bottom of the third, but headed into the fourth inning Fox was dominating the game, 7-1.

The Pirates led off the fourth inning with a home run which changed the momentum of the game. Their next runner singled and advanced on the back of several passed throws before another RBI single brought the score to 7-4. Southwestern recorded two more hits and a sacrifice fly in the inning to put Fox behind, 7-9.

With the momentum completely shifting, the Pirates controlled the game over the next three innings, adding on one more run while holding the Bruins to just two hits for the remaining innings to win the game, 10-7.

Top Performances
Makayla Noone has a standout performance with the bat, going 7-10 on the day with four runs and five stolen bases. Sami Stadtlander was 2-5 in the second game, with a homer and four RBIs, while Tinley Taylor went 2-4 with a homer in the first game.

What It Means
The Bruins fall to 4-2 on the season, while the Tigers improve to 7-4 and the Pirates move to 3-12 for their season. 

What Comes Next
The Bruins will wrap up their road trip with a doubleheader tomorrow against St. Thomas (Texas). The first pitch is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.