PHOENIX -- In a zany back-and-forth affair, the George Fox baseball team pushed past the North Central Cardinals Saturday afternoon in an exhilarating 15-9 game, using six eighth inning runs to capture the win.

How It Happened 
Both teams were just warming up in the top and bottom of the first and second inning as neither team put a run on the scoreboard. But the third inning was a change of pace as North Central scored two. Fox quickly responded, scoring three runs in the bottom of the inning. Stanley Schoppe was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded before Shayde Koga drove in two runs with an RBI double.

The Cardinals made another single run to knot the game, while Fox followed right after in the bottom of the fourth inning when Austin Stalwick homered to left field, giving the Bruins another lead, 4-3.

In the top of fifth, the Cardinals scored yet another run to tie the score once again, but Fox reacted immediately with hits from Koga, Mason Eastman, and Evan Balingit. Koga singled to right field to score Garrett Strube scored, and moments later, Koga followed right after after a triple from Eastman. Eastman scored a run of his own off of a Balingit hit, helping the Bruin lead grow to 7-4.

Just as Fox was feeling confident, the Cardinals responded quickly, scoring four runs of their own to snag an 8-7 lead back. The Bruins, however, countered again, with Koga drawing a bases-loaded walk to score Bryan Ho. Then, in the bottom of the seventh inning, Carson Coulter homered to left field, the score just inching above North Central, 9-8. The Cardinals tied the score, but then came the eighth inning.

Fox scored six runs in the eighth inning—Koga doubled to left field, scoring Strube to start the scoring. With two men on, the Loggers chose to intentionally walk Eastman, hoping to avoid a blow-up inning. Immediately, Evan Balingit hit a grand slam to score four runs and blow the game open. Finally, Coulter got one last run in before the eighth inning was over thanks to a Ho double, giving the Bruins a 15-9 victory. Ryder Edwards finished out the game for Fox, striking out the final three batters.

Top Performers
Garrett Strube led Fox to victory with three hits, while Austin Stalwick, Carson Coulter and Evan Balingit had a home run for the day. Shayde Koga and Balingit each led the team with five RBI, while Luke Vrable earned the victory on the mound.

What It Means 
The Bruin baseball team advances to a record of 2-4, while North Central falls to 1-1.

What Comes Next
The George Fox baseball team will play their last game against the North Central Cardinals in Phoenix, Ariz. on Sunday, February 23rd. The game is scheduled to begin at 9:30 am.