McMINVILLE, Ore. -- The Bruins run in the Northwest Conference tournament comes to a close after a close 5-7 loss to the Lewis and Clark Pioneers. 

How It Happened
After beating the Pios on Friday in the first round of the tournament, they got off to a blistering start in the top of the first inning on Sunday. Sharon Tomei took the first pitch she saw to deep left field, hammering the ball over the fence to give the Bruins an early 1-0 lead. Makayla Noone also got on base thanks to a double, stealing third to put a runner 60 feet away from home. But, after a shallow fly out by Brooke Riggins and a Kylie Harris strikeout, the Bruins come away with a 1-0 lead.

Nicole Ledendecker got the start in the circle for the Bruins, but loaded the bases in the bottom of the first inning. She got two quick outs, but an error by Brooke Riggins kept the inning alive. They escaped thanks to a flyout to Harris in left field, making the score 1-0 after one. Kayla Mashino got on base with a two-out single in the top of the second, but the Bruins couldn't capitalize once again. 

The Pios got the ball rolling in the bottom of the second, scoring six runs to make the game almost out of reach. Four singles, an error, two walks, and a hit by pitch created an eventful inning for Lewis and Clark. They forced a pitching change, as Alison Heater came into the game for Ledendecker. She got out of the inning after Sydney Sandifer picked off Caeleigh Rosenbach on a throw to first base. 

Tomei got on base due to a walk in the top of the third, with only one pitch remotely close to the zone. Sandifer stepped up to the plate and blasted her seventh home run of the year, bringing Tomei home and making the score 6-3. Noone walked, then Riggins singled on a ground ball to the pitcher, but was out on the next play thanks to an unfortunate double play on a bunt pop-up. The Bruins had runners on first and second with no outs, but quickly lost momentum after the double play. A popup by Nicole Campa ended the inning, and the Bruins went into the bottom of the inning down 6-3. 

The offense for both teams slowed down the next two half innings, but the Pios added another insurance run to make the score 7-3 in the bottom of the fourth. They had several base runners, but the Bruins were able to get out of the inning allowing just one run. A couple of singles and a walk loaded the bases with one out in the top of the fifth, and Harris sent Morgan Palmer home on a sacrifice fly to move the needle to 7-4. 

The final run of the day was to be expected, as Tomei hit her second solo home run to start a comeback in the top of the seventh. Sandifer got on base again on an error by Harper Campanella, but three straight flyouts ended the game for the Bruins. 

Top Performers
Tomei was the star of the show, going 3-3 with two home runs, a single, and a walk. Heater also pitched well, giving up six hits but only allowing one run and three strikeouts. Noone went 2 for three, and Sanfifer drove in two runs thanks to a home run in the third. 

What It Means
The Bruins season is supposedly over, but they still have an outside chance at earning an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament. They currently sit at No. 40 in the NPI rankings, and are ranked 20th out of 22 teams projected to receive a spot at nationals. 

What Happens Next
The Bruins will know for sure if they make the NCAA tournament tomorrow morning in the selection show on Monday, May 12th at 8:00 am PST.