NEWBERG, Ore. -- After picking up the series win over Pacific Lutheran with a Saturday sweep, the George Fox baseball team dropped their final game to the Lutes on Sunday, 5-8.

How It Happened 
Fox picked up right where they left off from Saturday, scoring two runs in the first inning. Garrett Strube's RBI single and Austin Stalwick's RBI groundout gave the Bruins a quick 2-0 lead, but the Lutes countered. Over the next two innings, PLU scored three runs, taking back the lead.

The Bruins responded with two runs of their own in the bottom of the third to jump back in front thanks to a massive two-out rally. After a groundout and a pop-up, Carson Coulter and Strube walked, with Stalwick being hit by pitch. With the bases loaded, the Bruins cashed in, scoring two on an Andre Butler single to give Fox the lead.

The lead continued to yo-yo back and forth, with a Brody Phinney home run giving Pacific Lutheran a 5-4 lead. Once again, Fox struck back, though, with Stalwick caching in another RBI, this time on a single, to tie the game, 5-5.

The Lutes continued to chip in runs, however, scoring one run apiece in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings, to extend their lead. The Bruins had their best chance to retaliate in the bottom of the seventh, as GFU loaded the bases with no outs; despite the golden opportunity, Fox failed to earn a run, with a strikeout and double play ending the inning with no damage.

Still trailing 8-5, Fox attempted to cut back into the lead in the bottom of the ninth with another two-out rally. This time, Stalwick and Butler each singled, advancing another base on an error. With the tying run at the plate in Noah Takayama, Fox's run was short-lived, as a groundout ended the game, giving the Bruins a 5-8 loss.

Top Performers
Andre Butler led the team in both hits (3) and RBI (2), tying for the RBI lead with Austin Stalwick, while Garrett Strube reached base four times in the game. Carson Coulter led the team with two runs scored.

What It Means 
The Bruins drop the game to fall to 6-7 (3-3 NWC), but still earn the series win over Pacific Lutheran, who now has a 5-6 (3-3 NWC) record.

What Comes Next
Fox will head off to Arizona for the second time this season, traveling to Tucson, Ariz. for the Tucson Invitational. There, the Bruins will play a trio of Minnesota teams in Hamline, Macalaster, and Augsburg.