NEWBERG, Ore. -- The George Fox baseball team took another loss this weekend against Whitman—the first game battling a 2-0 defeat in an 11-inning thriller, and the second game 5-6.
How It Happened - Game One
The first game was a classic pitcher's duel, with
Aidan Rady and Whitman's Wyatt Adams battling it out; neither team allowed a run in regulation, though both had chances.
The Bruins' best opportunity of the game came early on, as
Evan Balingit and
Carson Coulter singled, before
Garrett Strube walked to load the bases with one out. Despite this, Fox couldn't break through — a line out and a fly out ended the inning with no damage.
That chance would be one of the few for Fox, as the Bruins managed just one hit in the second inning and failed to pick up a hit the remainder of the game. Whitman had their chances as well, stranding two baserunners three times, but Rady and
Jack Galanida made sure to keep the scoreboard blank. After nine innings, the game was tied 0-0.
Ryder Edwards came in to relieve Galanida in the 10th, holding on Blue baserunner in scoring position off by retiring two matters. However, the Bruins couldn't break through — and finally, Whitman put a run on the board. A Nate Petz RBI double game Whitman the lead, and with Fox unable to answer, the Blues held on for the 2-0 11th-inning win.
How It Happened - Game Two
Fox was down quickly, 3-0, after the first and second innings, with three passed balls aiding the Whitman attack. But, by the bottom of third,
Shayde Koga singled to second base, advanced to second on a passed ball, before scoring a run on a
Mason Eastman RBI groundout. Whitman responded with two runs, including a Halen Otte homer in the fifth, to take a 5-1 lead.
However, Fox really put their heads together in the bottom of the sixth inning, scoring four runs to tie the game. Eastman got things going with a single before advancing to second on a wild pitch, eventually scoring a solid run on a Balingit RBI double.
Brennan Bates brought home Coulter and Balingit to creep closer at 5-4, with
Andre Butler's RBI grounder knotting the game at five. The Bruins still had a chance to extend their lead further, but Bates was narrowly thrown out at home on a double play to end the inning.
Whitman countered quickly, scoring a run in the top of the seventh on a sacrifice bunt to take a 6-5 lead. Fox's best chance would come one inning late, with Coulter working his way over to third base with two outs. Unfortunately, a strikeout ended the Bruins' scoring chances. Four batters later, A fly-out did the same, ending the game with a 5-6 defeat.
Top Performers
Coulter totaled three hits on the day, with
Shayde Koga and
Brennan Bates each finishing with two, Bates leading the team with two RBI. On the mound,
Aidan Rady pitched a career-high 6.2 innings in the game one start, striking out eight and walking just one in a scoreless effort.
Jack Galanida pitched 2.2 innings as Fox went the first 10 innings without a run given up.
What It Means
The Bruins fall to 10-12 (4-6 NWC), while the Whitman Blues improve to 12-8 (5-3 NWC).
What Comes Next
The George Fox baseball team will continue playing one final game against Whitman this weekend on Sunday, March 30th. The first game is scheduled to begin at 12:00 pm, though it may shift to 11:00 am to avoid rainy conditions.
