By: Simon Luedtke
Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 FOREST GROVE, Ore. -- The win streak continues as the Bruins sweep their doubleheader against Pacific.
How It Happened - Game 1
The Bruins got things going early, putting up eight runs in the first two innings to put the game out of reach.
Sharon Tomei started the game with a hit in the first inning, getting on base with a single out to left field. After a fielder's choice and an error put
Nicole Campa on second,
Kiley Harris got a two-out base knock to send Campa home and give the Bruins a 1-0 lead heading into the bottom of the first. The Boxers struck back immediately, tying the game up at one apiece headed into the second.
The Bruins retaliated with seven runs in the second, taking advantage of a few crucial errors that put runners on the basepads.
Makayla Noone and
Jordyn Relethford reached on errors to start the inning, and a
Sami Stadtlander single advanced the two to second and third.
Sydney Sandifer and Tomei brought runners home after getting hit, and Campa brought in a run after another fielder's choice. Harris brought a pair home with a well-hit single to shortstop, and the fun didn't stop there.
Brooke Riggins got on base with a walk, bringing Noone back up to bat for the second time in the inning. She took full advantage of it and drilled a triple to center field, bringing home two and extending the lead to seven. A Relethford groundout ended the inning, ending the Bruins' flurry of runs.
The Boxers got one back in the bottom of the second after a couple of Bruin errors gave Pacific another run. The Bruins bounced back with three in the top of the third as the Boxers tacked on two more errors to bring some runs home. After Tomei loaded the bases with a one-out single, a passed ball and an error brought Stadtlander and
Tinley Taylor home to make the score 10-2. Campa grounded out and brought Tomei home to make it 11-2, and the Boxers got out of the inning shortly after.
Relethford finished strong with three scoreless innings of work to keep the Boxers off the board. She pitched quite well, only allowing one hit and no walks to help the Bruins finish the game in five innings. A Noone single in the fourth capped off the action for the Bruins offensively in game one, as they cruised to an 11-2 victory.
Game 2
Nicole Ledendecker got the start in the circle in game two, only allowing one run, four hits, and striking out six in five innings of work. The Bruins were able to back her up with lots of run support, putting up seven runs in the first three innings.
The Bruins couldn't quite take advantage in the top of the first, leaving runners stranded on second and third after a Taylor single and Campa walk got the two aboard. They made up for it with five hits and four runs in the second, though, as Noone got the party started with a single and a stolen base. A
Kayla Mashino single got her on base, advancing to second on a preventative throw home by the Boxers. Two batters later, Sandifer smashed a double to center field, bringing home the two base runners. A Taylor single brought Sandifer home, and a rare Tomei triple sent Taylor home for the final run of the inning.
Ledendecker gave up her first hit in the bottom of the second, but struck out two to give the Bruins a 4-0 lead after two. They extended it moments later, though, picking up three runs to make it 7-0 after the top of the third. Riggins, Noone, and Mashino got the inning started with three straight singles, with Mashino sending two home after an error by the Boxers. A Taylor single sent Mashino home, and the Bruins couldn't capitalize after that, leaving two on base to end the inning.
Two doubles gave the Boxers a run in the bottom of the third, but it was their last run of the evening. Noone added another single and stolen base in the top of the fourth, and Ledendecker gave up a single and struck out a batter to cap off the bottom of the inning. Little action occurred in the fifth as well, as six straight batters (three Bruins, three Boxers) were retired after a leadoff double by
Emily Benavidez.
The Bruins put it away in the sixth after a two-out rally helped them go up eight. Harris got the action going after a single and a stolen base, advancing to third after a passed ball. Noone sent her home with her fourth hit of the game, getting into scoring position after a Pacific passed ball. Mashino sent her home to conclude the scoring for the evening, and
Allison Heater went 1-2-3 to earn the save in the bottom of the sixth.
Top Performers
Noone had a fantastic day today, going 6 for 7 with three RBIs and two stolen bases. Mashino and Taylor both went 3 for 4 in game two, and Tomei finished with a combined three hits of her own. Ledendecker and Relethford were fantastic in the circle as well, combining for 9.0 innings pitched and only two earned runs.
Coach's Thoughts
"We played really well in all facets of the game tonight," said Bruins head coach
Nathan Ohta. "It's a good time in the season for us to be playing well."
What It Means
The Bruins are officially on a tear after winning nine straight games. They improve to 8-2 in the conference and have found themselves in a groove all around. They've put up 62 runs in the last six games and show no signs of slowing down.
What Happens Next
The Bruins head back to Forest Grove to complete their four-game series against Pacific tomorrow, April 5th. The games are slated to start at 12 pm and 2 pm.