PORTLAND, Ore. -- After winning both games on Friday, the George Fox softball team dropped both Sunday games  to Lewis and Clark to split the series. 

How It Happened – Game One
Lewis and Clark got off to a quick start in game one, putting up the first two runs of the game. They scored a run in each of the first two innings, both on RBI singles to send runners home. The Bruins battled back in the top of the third inning, though, as they got their first baserunners of the game. Sydney Sandifer got hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, advancing to second after Tinley Taylor hit into a fielder's choice, and then to third on a wild pitch. With the top of the order now reset, Sharon Tomei belted a single to left field to send Sandifer home, making the game 2-1. 

Immediately after the Bruins got right back into the game, the Pioneers extended their lead with a busy bottom of the third inning. A walk, a single, and a hit by pitch loaded the bases for Lewis and Clark with no outs, and they took advantage. Harper Campanella sent one home with an RBI single, making the score 3-1. The Bruins secured a quick out after a fielder's choice took away a run from the Pioneers, but a 2-RBI single in the next at-bat extended the Pioneers' lead. The Bruins ended up getting out of the inning, and ended up putting runners on the basepads in three of the final four innings. It wasn't enough, though, as game three of the series went to Lewis and Clark 1-5. 

How It Happened - Game Two
The second game of the day started off with a bang, as the Bruins scored five runs in the top of the first inning. Fox got runners on base early, as Tomei singled, and Makayla Noone and Brooke Riggins both drew walks. With the bases loaded, Kiley Harris ripped a single down the right field line to score Tomei. Following back to back fielder's choices that stopped two Bruin runs, the bases were still loaded with two outs for Sydney Sandifer. She blasted the ball over the fence for a grand slam, giving the Bruins a 5-0 lead. 

The Pioneers struck back with two runs of their own in the bottom of the first inning, then both teams went scoreless in the second and third. Tomei decided to take matters into her own hands in the top of the fourth, hitting a home run over the left field wall to give the Bruins a 6-2 lead. That home run broke the single-season home run record, which is the fifth different record Tomei has broken this year. Following an error, the Pioneers struck right back in the fourth, tying the ball game up at six apiece after stringing together four runs. 

Sandifer hit her second home run of the day to make it 7-6 in the top of the fifth inning, but a fielder's choice and RBI single put the Pioneers back on top in the bottom half of the inning. George Fox battled back in the top of the sixth, as Noone got on base due to an error. She advanced to second and then third on wild pitches, and Riggins sent her home after a sacrifice fly to center field. This tied the game up at 8-8, but the Pioneers were able to respond yet again. They put up five runs in the home half of the sixth, and put the game out of reach. The Bruins had runners on base in the top of the seventh, but couldn't quite get it done. 

Coach's Thoughts
"Today wasn't our best performance, but we learned a few things that we'll use this week to get ready for the NWC tournament," said Bruins head coach Nathan Ohta. "You work all year to put yourself in this position, and we're excited to get back on the field next weekend."

What It Means
With losing both games today, the Bruins lock up third place in the conference. After missing the NWC tournament by one game last year, they make it easily this time around. 

What Happens Next
The Bruins will face Lewis and Clark yet again in the Northwest Conference Tournament next Friday, May 9th. The game will take place at Linfield University, and is scheduled to begin at 1:30 pm.