NEWBERG, Ore. -- The George Fox softball team played in a double-header Sunday afternoon against the Pacific Lutheran Lutes. The first game ended in a win for the Bruins—outscoring the Lutes 8-7. The second game finished in another win for George Fox with a score of 5-0. 

How It Happened 
The first game started on a rocky note for the Bruins. The Lutes scored five straight runs in the top of the first inning. It took a little while for Fox to pick themselves up and turn the game around. PLU didn't score in the second inning but the Bruins put three runs onto the board in the bottom of the second. It all started when Emily Benavidez had a single to left center field. Sydney Sandifer walked to first, giving Benavidez the chance to advance to second. Noone had a ground ball to first base with a bunt and Sandifer and Benavidez each progressed to the next base. Kayla Mashino had a reach on an error by the shortstop, giving her an RBI and giving Benavidez the chance to score a run. Mashino then stole second and Tinley Taylor had a double to right center field—she had two RBIs and Mashino and Sandifer each added another run to the board. At the end of the second inning the score was 3-5 with the Lutes still in the lead. 

The third inning went by with no movement from either team. In the top of the fourth the Lutes added two more runs to their lead over the Bruins—giving them a 3-7 lead. In the bottom of the fourth, Brooke Riggins was able to advance to second off of a wild pitch while Noone walked. Noone then stole second and Riggins stole third. Mashino singled to right center field and advanced to second on the throw, having two RBIs she allowed teammates Noone and Riggins to score—adding two more runs to the board for the Bruins. 

In the sixth inning the Bruins put the nail in the coffin and scored a final two runs that secured their win over Pacific Lutheran. Taylor singled to center field and Sharon Tomei hit a staggering homerun, allowing for Taylor to score as well; securing the lead over the Lutes and taking the 8-7 win. 

The Bruins added another win to their record with a 5-0 win in their second game of the day against Pacific Lutheran. It all started with Tomei hitting a home run to center field and gaining a run and RBI for the Bruins. Kiley Harris had a single to left field and then later stole second. Bethany Wilkes singled to left field, scoring an RBI and allowing for Harris to score a run. 

In the bottom of the second Noone hit a fly ball out to left field. Taylor then walked to first base and Sharon Tomei had another home run to right center field with two RBIs and Taylor scored. In the bottom of the fourth inning Tomei had a double down the left field line, had an RBI and Noone scored the Bruins fifth run of the game—ending the game with a 5-0 win over the Lutes. 

Top Performers
Over the course of both games Tinley Taylor had two runs, two RBIs, and two hits. Sharon Tomei had two home runs and six RBIs. Kiley Harris had an RBI and a run. Kayla Mashino had two runs and three RBIs. 

Coach's Thoughts
"Yesterday we got beat up a little bit, so it was really good to see the resilience to come back with this kind of effort," said Bruins head coach Nathan Ohta. "This team has some fight in them, and those were two good wins for us today.

What It Means 
The George Fox softball team now has an overall record of 7-8 and an NWC record of 2-2. 

What Comes Next
The George Fox softball team is set to play their next game against Bushnell University on Tuesday March 25th in Newberg, Ore. at 1pm.