NEWBERG, Ore. -- The George Fox baseball team started their series against the Pacific Boxers with their final home doubleheader of 2026, dropping both games; Fox's three-game winning streak was snapped with a 6-5 loss, before the Bruins fell in game two, 10-2.

How It Happened - Game One
The start of the game carried no runs on either end. The second was similar, with Lucas Plenert ending the inning on  strikeout. Pacific scored their first run in the third on an RBI single, 1-0, but Fox didn't let it slide and responded with two of their own. Gabe DeBenedetto kicked it off, recording a bunt single. Andre Butler followed suit, bunting. Jayson Au Hoy followed the theme, bunting as each Bruin advanced on a whopping three straight bunt singles. With loaded bases and the Bruins ready to run, Joey Marasco provided the opportunity, smacking one towards right field, picking up an RBI. Garrett Strube was up to bat next and hit a sacrifice fly, Butler finding home base, 2-1. 

The Boxers opened up the fourth with a home run, tying it up. They snuck in another one before the top wrapped up to take the lead back, 3-2. The Bruins' defense allowed no opportunities for Pacific in the fifth, and they carried that momentum into their offense, with Marasco holding patience to walk. Strube then whacked one towards third base, singling. Then, on an attempted throw to catch a runner stealing, an errant throw caused Marasco to score. Evan Balingit then scored Strube with an RBI single to put Fox up 4-3. Balingit attempted to make the score 5-3 on an Austin Stalwick flyout, but was gunned down on the relay.

The sixth and seventh innings remained defense heavy, the score unchanging as Bryan Ho put in work on the mound. Pacific looked to tie it up again in the eighth, finding success and scoring on a Bruin error(4-4). Fox countered with the same, though, with BJ Tokushima took advantage of another throwing error, reaching first, as Balingit ran all the way to take the lead, 5-4. 

Pacific wasn't letting up in the final inning, recording back-to-back doubles and an RBI single with two outs to take the lead back from Fox, 6-5. The Bruins had one more chance to take the win, and Declan Corrigan got to second on a walk and a stolen base, but no further opportunity emerged, closing out the game with a 6-5 loss. 

How It Happened - Game Two 
The beginning of the game followed the same pattern as the first, with no early action. In the second, Taylor Franklin shone on the mound, striking out the side. However, the third was a huge one for Pacific, hitting an early run, 1-0. Jake Gallagher stepped up to bat, and seized the opportunity with the Boxers loaded bases, scoring a grand slam to put the Boxers up 5-0. Trevor Kazahaya immediately followed with a home run of his own, 6-0.

The Boxers capitalized on loaded bases once again in the fifth, two straight runs successful, 8-0. Though the Bruins were down, Trevor Collins filled in nicely for Fox, not allowing a run in his two innings pitched

Fox finally found their first two runs in the seventh. Marasco singled to shortstop, then advanced to second on a throwing error after Brennan Bates reached on a fielder's choice. Both Bruins each advanced another base on a passed ball before Kaden Oshiro singled down left field to score each runner.

The eight had three consecutive outs yet again, with Luke Vrable retiring the side. Pacific wrapped up their game in the ninth, completing two more runs, Will Shelor gaining two RBI. Fox couldn't find any luck at the bottom, keeping their total at two, wrapping up the game with a 10-2 loss. 

Top Performances
For game one, Garrett Strube earned an RBI, a run, and two hits. Joey Marasco and Evan Balingit had one RBI, run, and hit. On the mound, Bryan Ho struck out eight. For game two, Kaden Oshiro earned one RBI and a hit. Marasco and Brennan Bates completed two runs. Taylor Franklin struck out four on the mound, while Luas Plenert struck out six. 

What It Means
The Bruins are now 14-22 (8-12 NWC). The Boxers reflect the same, 14-22 (11-12 NWC). 

What Happens Next
The Bruins will celebrate their seniors and wrap up their weekend series against Pacific on Sunday, April 26th, at 12 PM