McMINNVILLE, Ore. -- The George Fox baseball team closed out their non-conference schedule with a midweek game against the Linfield Wildcats, coming out with an 8-2 win to pick up their third straight season.

How It Happened
The Bruins, fresh off a series win over No. 10 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, were not playing around early, finding two runs early on. Austin Stalwick kicked them off with a single before Brennan Bates stepped up and whacked a double to score Stalwick and put GFU up, 1-0. BJ Tokushima followed his teammate and earned an RBI with a single, putting the Bruins up 2-0. The defense was not stepping off the gas, as they gave the Wildcats no room to breathe, holding them to three consecutive outs. 

Gabe DeBenedetto was up first in the second, finding base with a single. Jayson Au Hoy and Kaden Oshiro each moved the senior around to third, before DeBenedetto scored when Joey Marasco was at bat, 3-0. The Wildcats retaliated, getting their first run of the game off a Bruin wild pitch. 

The third held nothing for either side, the Bruins' outfield staying strong with quick outs. Fox was ready to go again in the fourth, with Danner Hamburg and DeBenedetto finding bases. Au Hoy walked, each Bruin moving forward and loading the bases. Oshiro followed suit, showing good plate discipline on an RBI walk.. Fox held on to their loaded bases, but couldn't find another success to get them home. The fifth was similar to the third, with both teams' defense shining. 

DeBenedetto was up again, walking to begin the sixth. Au Hoy then reached first on a Linfield throwing error. Garrett Strube got to first similarly, walking. Fox showed all loaded bases, before Talwick drew in another run after getting hit by a pitch, giving him an RBI and the Bruins a 5-1 lead.  

Tokushima opened up the seventh with another walk, then advanced to third after DeBenedetto singled. Au Hoy kept the momentum going, smacking one towards right field, earning an RBI and giving Fox a 6-1 lead. Linfield picked up another run to make it 6-2, but couldn't find much else as Grant Baskin struck out two. In the eighth, Gavin Price pinch hit for Stalwick, recording , with Tokushima following to second. The final two runs of the day came off the bat of Hamburg, with Tokushima scoring on an error. The ninth remained scoreless, closing out with a Fox 8-2 win. 

Top Performances
Joey Marasco, Austin Stalwick, Brennan Bates, Jayson Au Hoy, and Kaden Oshiro recorded an RBI and a hit. Danner Hamburg gained an RBI and a run. BJ Tokushima had one RBI and two runs. Gabe DeBenedetto found four hits and two runs. Trevor Collins picked up his first career win on the mound on a declared bullpen day, striking out two of the eight batters faced. 

What It Means
The Bruins move to 14-20, while the Wildcats stand at 20-14..  

What Happens Next
The Bruins will get back to conference play with a doubleheader against Pacific at home on Saturday, April 25th. First pitch of game one is scheduled for noon.