SPOKANE, Wash. — The George Fox softball team wrapped up their rescheduled games against the Whitworth Pirates, dropping game one in a close 5-4 battle before bouncing back with an 8-4 win in game two.

How It Happened - Game One
The Pirates began the game off with a bang, hitting a three-run homer to take an early lead. However, the Bruins got on the board in the second. Bethany Wilkes hit by a pitch to start things before Riley Pirkle was up and singled straight up the middle, joining Wilkes on the bases. Kiley Harris got Fox going with an RBI single, and Tinley Taylor reached first and loaded all bases, but Fox didn't find another opportunity to capitalize. 

Emily Benavidez kicked off the third, walking to first, then advancing to second on a wild pitch by the Pirates. Benavidez was ready to go as Pirkle doubled towards left center, and ran all the way home, 3-2. Whitworth found their run off a hit towards left center in the next inning, creating the opportunity for the second base runner to go all the way, 4-2. 

The Pirates scored again off a similar play in the fourth, Reagan Ellis gaining the RBI, putting them up 5-2. In the fifth, Fox was all warmed up and completed two successful runs. It was a load of movement and fast transitions as Sami Stadtlander cracked one towards right field, doubling. Wilkes followed and singled, as Charlotte Brooke pinch ran for Stadtlander and got to third, before scoring on a fielding error, now 5-3. Cami Nakamura then came in to pinch-run for Wilkes. Pirkle signalled up the middle, Nakamura advancing to third. Off a passed ball, Pirkle moved to second while Nakamura took it home, getting the Bruins within one (5-4). Whitworth found nothing at the bottom. 

Coming into the sixth, Wilkes found second base off a hit, but nothing else showed for Fox. The Pirates read the same story; the Bruins' defense only allowed one walk, but got quick outs. In the top of the seventh, Noone walked and stole second to get into scoring position, but Fox wasn't able to drive her home. After winning the first two games of the series by one run apiece, it was the Bruins' turn to lose by one, dropping the game, 5-4.

How It Happened - Game Two
The game didn't start out strong on either side; no runs were scored in the two innings as Nicole Ledendecker allowed just two total baserunners.

The Bruins got two on base in the third, Mia Cantu (singled) and Noone (fielding error), yet not much else was found. Whitworth scored the first run of the game on a sacrifice fly, 1-0. The fourth, on the other hand, was all Fox. Wilkes singled. Pirkle doubled towards left field. Stadtlander was up to bat and hit a sacrifice fly to score the pinch runner Nakamura, with Pirkle finding third on a throwing error. Cantu stepped up to hit a banger, clearing the left field fence with her first career home run to put Fox up, 3-2. 

Fox found two more in the fifth - Noone singled and stole second, then Doran got hit by a pitch and, following in Noone's footsteps, stole second while Noone scored on the rare muffled throw. Stadtlander finished off the inning with a single to left field that scored Doran, 5-2. The Pirates answered with one of their own, Reams earning an RBI (5-3). 

In the sixth, Cantu and Noone landed on third and second, while Tinley Taylor joined them on first. Doran reached on a fielder's choice and an RBI. Noone got out at home, but it didn't matter when the Pirates threw a wild pitch, and Taylor got the run, 7-3. Whitworth hit another sacrifice fly to find another run, their last of the game, 7-4. Stadtlander finished the game tripling, with Cantu giving her the opportunity to find the way home, gaining the 8-4 win.  

Top Performances
In game one, Emily Benavidez, Charlotte Brooke, Bethany Wilkes, and Cami Nakamura each had a run apiece. Riley Pirkle and Kiley Harris earned an RBI. Pirkle led with three hits, Tinley Taylor and Wilkes hit two, while Makayala Noone, Corine Doran, Sami Stadtlander, and Harris hit one. For game two, Mia Cantu earned three RBI and two runs. Stadtlander had two RBI as well as a run. Doran gained an RBI. Nicole Ledendecker got the win on the mound, striking out three. 

What It Means
The Bruins move to 12-15 overall (6-9 NWC). The Pirates now are 6-21 (4-12 NWC).

What Happens Next
The Bruins will travel to Tacoma, Wash., for a full weekend competition against Puget Sound. They will play a doubleheader on Saturday, April 11th, game one to start at 12 PM, and game two at 2 PM.