TACOMA, Wash. – The George Fox softball team stayed in Washington to take on NWC rival Pacific Lutheran, with one loss in the first game, 6-7, but a close bounce-back win in the second, 2-1. 

How It Happened – Game One
In the top half of the first inning, Tinley Taylor scored on a three run home run, scoring Sharon Tomei and Kamryn Potter and locking in a three-run advantage for the Bruins. In reply to such a strong start, the Lutes racked up one run, but Fox stayed up, 3-1. 

Pacific Lutheran scored another run in the second, making the score 3-2. Fox then responded with a powerful fifth inning after a scoreless fourth when Kamryn Potter singled to right field as Kiley Harris advanced to third. Tomei then homered to right center, bringing in Potter and Harris and scoring three runs of her own. While the Bruins were ahead 6-2, the Lutes made another run on three hits trying to keep up, with the score 6-3. 

Despite the early lead, Fox did not achieve any runs for the remainder of the day, as Pacific Lutheran added up four more runs on just five hits with one home run to their score in the very last inning of the game, giving George Fox a brutal loss. They bumped their way just above Fox on a walk-off double from Rylie Wada, giving the Bruins the 6-7 loss. 

How It Happened – Game Two
Fox started the game steady with one run by Kamryn Potter in the top of the first, with Potter scoring on an RBI groundout. However, their lead didn't last long as Pacific Lutheran scored a run as well, tying the game 1-1. 

The second, third, fourth, and fifth innings were scoreless, with a pitcher's duel between Elise Wilkinson and Rachel Treves ensuing. Wilkinson did not allow a hit in the three innings, but after the quiet came a rush of madness once again as George Fox scored another run thanks to another home run from Tinley Taylor. 

Taylor's solo shot to right field gave Fox a 2-1 run in the sixth, with both teams failing to score any runs after that. Wilkinson allowed just one hit in the final innings, retiring the Lutes 1-2-3 to earn the win.


Top Performances 
Tinley Taylor made great appearances in both games, as she finished with two home runs, two runs scored, and four RBI. Sharon Tomei finished with a solid four RBI as well, while Kamryn Potter finished with three runs and three hits, making a stable contribution to the team. Elise Wilkinson finished with the win in game two.

What It Means
The Bruins now sit at 11-9 (4-4 NWC) and the Lutes are 7-13 (2-6 NWC). 

What Comes Next
George Fox moves on to the next series, up against Pacific University on Saturday, April 6th, with games starting at 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. in Newberg, Ore.