SALEM, Ore. – The George Fox softball team shut out the Willamette Bearcats in the first of two Sunday games, winning the first, 1-0, and dropping the second game, 7-4.
How It Happened – Game One
Starting pitcher
Emma Eastman pitched a full-game shutout for the first time since one whole day prior. The senior kept the Bearcats off the scoreboard both times she pitched this weekend, and currently sits at a combined 14 straight scoreless innings. Eastman managed to strand nine base runners and struck out five. The Bruins needed every zero that Eastman put up, as the Bearcats got a stellar performance of their own from starting pitcher in Jordyn Johnson.
The only run of the game came in the top of the third inning when
Kiley Harris singled to get on board then advanced to second on a wild pitch. With one out and Harris on second,
Makayla Noone hit a ball to deep left-center that was caught, but it allowed Harris to not only take third but score on the play as well. The wheels of Harris put the Bruins on top, 1-0.
From there, the Bruins offense struggled to get on base – they only had two hits for the whole game – but Eastman remained locked in. The senior stranded two base runners in the fifth, and didn't allow another runner to get into scoring position. Eastman struck out the last batter she faced, as the Bruins picked up the 1-0 win.
How It Happened – Game Two
GFU got on the board first in the second game of the afternoon, scoring a run off a
Kamryn Potter RBI double. However, Willamette wasn't far behind, as they scored three runs in the bottom of the same inning, and scored two more in the second. After two frames the Bruins found themselves down, 5-1. The Fox pitchers dealt with traffic on the base paths all day long, as the Bearcats picked up 12 hits on the day. Willamette tacked on another pair of runs in the sixth inning, scoring with the bases loaded twice, making the score 7-1.
Fox rallied in the sixth inning, scoring three runs after another RBI double from Potter scored a pair, and a sacrifice fly from
Sydney Sandifer. The runs brought Fox back within three runs, with the score 7-4. However, The Bruins couldn't rally in the seventh, as the game ended with a 7-4 loss.
Top Performances
Emma Eastman threw seven scoreless innings, picking up five strikeouts and the win. The senior threw two shutout wins this weekend, after throwing a complete game shutout yesterday as well.
Kamryn Potter went 2-3 with two doubles and three RBIs.
What It Means
The Bruins are now 17-11 (10-6 NWC), and Willamette sits at 9-17 (5-11 NWC).
What Comes Next
The Bruins return home next weekend, playing a four-game series against the Whitworth Pirates. Game one is on April 20, with the first pitch at noon.
