NEWBERG, Ore. – The George Fox softball team opened the weekend with a heartbreaking 10-9 loss against the Puget Sound Loggers, before Sydney Sandifer and Sharon Tomei hit back-to-back solo home runs for a walk-off, 6-5 win. 

How It Happened - Game One
The Bruins fell behind early in the first game, giving up three runs on a home run in the first inning. GFU responded an inning later, using a pair of home runs from Sandifer and Tomei to bring the game to 3-2 heading into the third inning. 

The fourth inning was huge for the Bruins, as they scored six runs, starting with an RBI double from Nicole Campa who scored one. Makayla Noone followed with an RBI single, as did Tinley Taylor before the Bruins scored three unearned runs to cap off the massive inning. After the fourth inning, the Bruins found themselves up, 8-3. Tomei would hit an RBI double in the bottom half of the sixth inning for one more run to pad the lead, 9-3. 

George Fox would suffer heartbreak in the seventh though; the Loggers got a runner on first with a walk, then scored on an RBI single. A fielding error by the Bruins kept the inning going, and the Loggers hit another RBI single, making the score 9-5. With runners on first and second, the Loggers hit a three-run home run to bring themselves within one run, and they would take the lead a few batters later with an RBI double. The Bruins were finally able to get out of the inning, but not after giving up seven runs, and losing the lead. Fox was unable to score a run in the bottom half of the inning and would lose game one, 10-9.

How It Happened - Game Two
While the runs in game one game came early and often, game two was a pitcher's duel for the first five innings. Bruins' starter Kiley Harris would go five innings, striking out four while allowing four runs – none of those runs came before the fifth inning when the Loggers opened up the scoring with a run in the top of the fifth. 

The Bruins immediately responded to that run from the Loggers with three of their own, scoring off RBI singles from Noone and Sandifer. After five innings, the Bruins found themselves up, 3-1. They could have been up more, as Sami Stadtlander roped a fly ball to center field with bases loaded, but the Loggers center fielder snagged it before it could clear the fence, taking away four potential runs from Fox. The Loggers would carry that momentum from the spectacular defensive play into the top of the sixth inning, as they took a 4-3 lead off a three-run home run. GFU's Campa responded to the Loggers with a big solo homer to tie the game at four runs each. 

In the top of the seventh, the Loggers were able to squeeze a run in, scoring on a wild pitch after moving a runner to third. The run would give UPS a 5-4 lead, putting Fox behind by a run in the bottom of the seventh for the second time on the day. This time though, the Bruins would leave with a much better result. It started with Sandifer, who hit an absolute bomb down the left-field line to tie the game at five. The tie game meant that if the Bruins could score another run it would end the game with a Bruins victory. GFU wouldn't have to wait long for that run, as Tomei would follow Sandifer with her solo home run, ending the game with a Bruins' 6-5 win. 

Top Performances
Sydney Sandifer went 3-4 with a home run and two RBIs in game two and had four hits total – including two home runs – on the day. Sharon Tomei also had a pair of homers, including the game-winner in the second game. 

What It Means 
After splitting the games on Saturday, the Bruins are now 8-6 (1-1 NWC), and the Loggers are now 5-9 (1-1 NWC). 

What Comes Next
The Bruins wrap up their weekend series against the Loggers with a doubleheader on Sunday, March 23. First pitch is at 11 am from Morse Athletic Fields in Newberg, Ore.