NEWBERG, Ore. -- The George Fox baseball team put up a strong showing on the mound against the #11 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Stags, but were unable to hang onto an  early lead, dropping the first game of their non-conference series, 6-2.

How It Happened 
The game started out as a tight contest, with each side's starting pitcher and offense putting up a good fight. The Stags struck first in the top of the second inning to take the early 1-0 lead, before Fox retaliated immediately in the bottom of the frame.

Austin Stalwick drew a leadoff walk, and the Bruins got two runners aboard when Brennan Bates reached on a fielding error. From here, Danner Hamberg drove in the tying run with a sacrifice fly before Adam Fulton followed with a double that just stayed fair down the left field line to give the Bruins a 2-1 lead.

Claremont leveled the score in the top of the fourth with an RBI single, before both pitching staffs locked down the offenses in the fifth inning.

The Stags broke through again in the sixth, however, capitalizing on several walks and a pair of hits to extend their lead, 4-2. The Bruins looked to retaliate once again in the bottom of the inning with several hits of their own, but were unable to drive them home, leaving two men stranded on base. 

Fox's bullpen did well to work their way out of a bases-loaded jam in the seventh, leaving all three Stags stranded, but were unable to contain them in the eighth, giving up two doubles and a single and putting CMS four runs ahead. 

The Bruins were unable to find their rhythm against the Stags' reliever late in the game, eventually dropping the series opener, 6-2. 

Top Performers
Adam Fulton led the Bruins with the bat, hitting 2-4 on the day with an RBI. Evan Balingit and Austin Stalwick also impressed, each finishing with a hit. Luke Vrable had a good performance on the mound, striking out six batters and giving up just one hit in his three innings pitched.

What It Means
The Bruins now sit at 11-17 (5-12 NWC), while Claremont-Mudd-Scripps improved to 23-8 (12-6 SCIAC). 

What Comes Next
The Bruins will continue their non-conference matchup against the Stags with a doubleheader tomorrow, looking to win both games to clinch the series win. The first pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. at Morse Athletic Field.