TACOMA, Wash. -- The George Fox softball team's season came to a close in the Northwest Conference Tournament with a pair of losses; Fox lost to host Pacific Lutheran, 7-0, before ending their year with a 5-0 loss to Lewis & Clark.
How It Happened - Pacific Lutheran
Fox was able to generate baserunners early, with
Kayla Mashino drawing an early walk and
Tinley Taylor singling, but the early success came to a screeching half on a double-play lineout that ended the top of the first. In the bottom of the first, the Lutes, who came into the day ranked No. 21 in the NFCA Coaches Poll, began with two singles and a wild pitch to score before GFU could register an out, before
Grace Wilson had the unassisted double play at third to end the inning down just one, 1-0.
After some moderate success in the first inning, the Bruins struggled to get on base against PLU ace Paige Wilson. Wilson, who entered the game with two straight complete games without an earned run against, proved to be hard to hit against. The Bruins suffered five straight strikeouts across the next two innings before
Makayla Noone smacked a double in the third; unfortunately, she was caught stealing the very next play.
The Lutes slowly grew their lead over the remaining innings as the Bruins struggled to get on base. While PLU never scored more than two runs in an inning, they scored in all but the second as their lead grew to seven.
Corine Doran tallied a single in the top of the seventh, but a rally never materialized as Wilson struck out her 13th Bruin batter of the day to win the game, 7-0.
How It Happened - Lewis & Clark
The first inning began with each pitcher —
Nicole Ledendecker of GFU and Maggie O'Leary of L&C — striking out the side. Doran had the first baserunner of the day for either team with a leadoff single, but she stayed on first as the inning came to a close on back-to-back strikeouts.
The Otts then struck first with an RBI double in the second, but Fox countered with their best inning since the first against PLU.
Kiley Harris reached on a bunt single, and moved to second on a Noone single to right field. Unfortunately for the Bruins, they weren't able to bring either baserunner home as a pair of fly outs kept the score 1-0.
Fox had another chance in the fourth on a Doran double, but again, she couldn't reach home. Lewis & Clark extended their lead on a solo home run in the fifth, putting them up 2-0. Though Doran had another hit, the River Otters extended their lead to 5-0 off of a three-run shot from Harper Campanella.
Heading into the final inning,
Emily Benavidez tallied a hit to start the seventh, but the inning — and season — ended on a double play as the Bruins fell, 5-0.
Top Performances
Makayla Noone,
Tinley Taylor, and
Corine Dorane all tallied a hit against PLU, with Doran totaling four hits across the two games.
Kiley Harris, Noone, and
Emily Benavidez all had a hit against L&C. Alison Heater ended her career in the circle with two strikeouts.
What It Means
The Bruins end their season with a 22-20 record, qualifying for their second straight NWC Tournament. The River Otters, Lutes, and Linfield Wildcats all advance to day two of the tourney.
What Happens Next
The Lady Bruins will be back in action in the 2027 season, looking to make a third straight tournament — and possibly more.
