NEWBERG, Ore. — The George Fox softball team closed out the weekend with another doubleheader against the Lewis and Clark River Otters, slotting one loss, 13-10, and one win, 7-5.
How It Happened - Game One
It was an unfortunate start for the Bruins, as Lewis and Clark came out and scored five runs in an entertaining opening slate of innings. The Otts had loaded bases, and on a wild pitch and walk, got their first two runs of the game. Their next three came from a three-run shot to shoot ahead, 5-0.
Fox didn't end the first scoreless, though, gaining two runs of their own.
Makayla Noone walked and stole second, then advanced to third on a throwing error.
Sami Stadtlander walked, and up stepped
Corine Doran. Though Doran grounded out to second base, Noone took that opportunity to go all the way home, 5-1.
Tinley Taylor stepped up and whacked one towards left-center, scoring Stadtlander, 5-2.
The River Otters widened the lead in the second, 8-2. But quickly, Fox struck back; with the bases loaded, Stadtlander drew an RBI walk. The next play was huge for the Bruins. Doran smacked a grand slam to center field, immediately turning a huge deficit to a manageable distance, 8-7.
In the third, L&C tracked two more runs for themselves, going up 10-7. Fox then responded to tie up the game. After
Mia Cantu reached first on a fielder's choice, Noone walked,
Kiley Harris then tallied a home run of her one to center field, sending Cantu, Noone, and herself home to tie the game up, 10-10.
The River Otters hit a home run on the first play of the fourth, but Fox kept them to just that, 11-10. The Bruins couldn't find much luck at the bottom. Taylor reached third base but found no other opportunities to advance further.
The fifth remained scoreless for both teams, with Fox getting the River Otters out three in a row. The sixth also didn't have much action either, still 11-10. In the seventh, L&C found the last points of the game, after a triple down the right-field line and a sacrifice fly, 13-10. The Bruins found no action, closing out the game.
How It Happened - Game Two
The Bruins' defense started the game out well, with three quick outs as
Riley Pirkle retired the side. Noone stole second for Fox, but unlike game one, the scoreboard stayed silent in the first inning. The second was almost identical, another quick offensive run for the River Otters (Pirkle striking out two) and one Bruin reaching base. The third contained three straight outs for both teams.
In the fourth, after another quick set of outs by the Bruins' defense, Stadtlander stepped up to bat. She hit a ball towards left center, moving into scoring position. Then it was the pitcher Pirkle who broke the scoreless tie, with an RBI double to score the first run of the game, 1-0.
The River Otters tied it up in the fifth with a home run, 1-1. For Fox,
Grace Wilson hit to center field and advanced to second after Noone singled.
Morgan Palmer subbed in to pinch run for Wilson, and after a throwing error, scored to put Fox up, 2-1. Noone also moved to third. Harris walked and advanced to second on a fielder's choice. Doran was up to bat and tallied yet another home run, this one a three-run shot to put GFU up four, 5-1.
In the sixth, L&C scored three times: a fielding error, a sacrifice fly, and a home run (5-4). For the Bruins,
Chrisilla Zagala struck out, but managed to reach first on a passed ball. Wilson took advantage of the Ott miscue, recording her first home run of the season to make the score, 7-4.
Though L&C recorded another run in the seventh, it was nothing to alter the Bruins' win, with
Allison Heater picking up the save and ending the game ,7-5.
Top Performances
For game one,
Corine Doran led with five RBI.
Kiley Harris tracked three RBI, two runs, and one hit.
Sami Stadtlander had one RBI and two runs, while Taylor Tinley had one RBI and three hits.
Makayla Noone totaled three runs.
For game two, Doran led again with three RBI, and also logged one hit and run.
Grace Wilson was next with two RBI, two hits, and one run.
Riley Pirkle had one RBI, and Noone led with three hits. On the mound, Pirkle struck out three and earned the win.
Allison Heater picked up her first save of the season with 1.1 innings pitched to close.
What It Means
The Bruins now go 9-11 overall (3-5 NWC). The River Otters moved to 14-10 (9-3 NWC)
What Happens Next
The Bruins will stay at home to play a doubleheader against Pacific Lutheran on Friday, April 3rd. Game one is set to start at 12 PM, and game two at 2 PM.
