PORTLAND, Ore. — The George Fox softball team played a tricky double-header this weekend against the Lewis & Clark River Otters, losing in a tough 5-1 battle in game one, before falling to in a 10-inning thriller—the Otts also taking the win with a close score of 4-3.
How It Happened - Game One
The Bruins began the game in the top of first as
Corine Doran singled to third base and then moved into scoring position. Unfortunately, the Bruins didn't get much action as they finished their part of the quarter with zero runs scored. The Otts were strong in the bottom when they scored three runs with four hits, and just like that, giving Fox a 3-0 advantage.
Lewis & Clark was relentless as they started out the second with an infield single, and then scored two runs on three hits—as the Bruins stayed behind, not generating any run support.
The top of fourth was when the Bruin bats got working again as
Sami Stadtlander singled through the left side and
Tinley Taylor advanced to second base. Then,
Kylee Manibusan helped the Bruins score the first run of the game on a sacrifice fly, scoring Taylor.
Fox gathered two more hits for the scorebook—one in sixth when Taylor doubled to right center, and another in seventh when
Emery Curtis singled through the left side. But neither team was able to bring anyone home, as the first game came to a close at a score of 5-1, the River Otters taking the victory.
How It Happened - Game Two
Fox seemed almost lifeless until the fourth inning, not getting a player on base, as Lewis & Clark quickly took a 3-0 lead — but the Bruins took their first run when Doran homered to center field, putting the Bruins on the board. Then, Taylor singled to third base and the Bruins loaded the bases as Fox showed good plate discipline.
Eventually,
Kiley Harris scored a run on an RBI walk — and Fox wasn't finished in top of fourth yet—
Kayla Mashino singled to left field to score
Cami Nakamura, tying the score 3-3.
The score stayed tied for the ensuing two innings until the seventh when Doran hit the ball, singling to second base; unfortunately, Fox couldn't bring her home and the game turned to extra innings. In the top of the ninth,
Makayla Noone reached on a bunt single. Again, though, the Bruins couldn't bring a runner home.
As the game stretched to the top of the 10th — Taylor hit to left center field in the top of the tenth inning. Then, Fox gained momentum as
Emily Benavidez singled through the left side, while Taylor advanced into scoring position, but GFU wasn't able to lock in any successful runs.
Finally, the River Otters struck. After not scoring since the first innings, the Otts drew a walk and hit a single to put two on base. Then, the final hit struck, as L&C's Kodie Ancheta notched an RBI single to hand the Bruins a 4-3 loss in their longest game since 2024.
Top Performances
Corine Doran,
Tinley Taylor,
Kiley Harris, and
Makayla Noone scored on point each over the span of both games—Doran and Taylor with two hits each.
What It Means
The Lady Bruins now fall to 8-10 (2-4 NWC), while the River Otters rise to 13-9 (8-2 NWC).
What Happens Next
Fox will head back to Newberg for day two of the doubleheader against Lewis & Clark on Sunday, March 29. The first game is scheduled to start at 11:00 am, while the second is scheduled for 1:00 pm.
