McMINNVILLE, Ore. -- The George Fox men's baseball team wrapped up their three game series against Linfield on Sunday, using an excellent defensive effort to win 3-0 against the Wildcats.

How It Happened 
The game was clearly a pitcher's duel from the opening toss, as both the Bruins and Wildcats struggled to put a man on base. Bruin starter Lucas Plenert and the Wildcats' Jake Swenson battled it out on the pitch, with neither player allowing a run through seven innings. Plenert himself didn't allow a baserunner through the first three innings as the two teams totaled just four base runners left on in the first five innings. 

Each team had a chance to score in the sixth — the Bruins getting runners on second and third with one out and the Wildcats loading the bases with two outs — but neither team could break onto the scoreboard.

Things started rolling in the top of the eighth when Jackson Bucholz and Shayde Koga were hit by back-to-back pitches, giving the Bruins life to lead off the inning. Mason Eastman then reached base on a zany play (the third baseman's throw to first hitting Eastman mid-stride and bouncing away from play), giving pinch runner Kaden Oshiro the first run for the Bruins. With Koga on third base and Eastman on second, Evan Balingit hit a two-RBI single to center field — adding two more runs to the board for a total score of 3-0. 

Linfield managed to get one runner on third in the bottom of the eighth, but Ryder Edwards quickly put a stop to any rally. The Bruins' All-Region reliever retired five straight batters to end the game and give the Bruins a 3-0 win.

Top Performers
Lucas Plenert and Ryder Edwards were unstoppable on the mound, pitching a combined shutout. In just his second start, Plenert pitched 5.1 innings, striking out six with no walks and allowing just four baserunners while Edwards picked up the win, striking out four in 3.2 innings.

Behind the plate, Evan Balingit had a hit and two RBIs, while Eastman had a hit and a run and Garrett Strube had the only extra-bases hit for either team with a first-inning double. Kaden Oshiro and Shayde Koga each had a run

Coach's Thoughts
"Earl Weaver said 'momentum is only as good as tomorrow's starting pitcher,'" Bruin head coach Kevin Kopple said, "Today, Lucas Plenert was outstanding and allowed us to stay in the game against a really good arm on the other side.  We were able to execute late and Ryder Edwards did what he does out of the pen.  Onto next week with another tough conference series coming up."

What It Means 
The George Fox baseball team now has an overall record of 4-6 and an NWC record of 1-2. Linfield now has an overall record of 4-2 and a conference record of 2-1. 

What Comes Next
The Bruin baseball team plays their next game against Pacific Lutheran in a three game series The series begins on Saturday March 8th, with the first game beginning at 11am. The games will be played at home for Fox.