George Fox Slips Past Bearcats, 6-4, in Third Game of Series

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

NEWBERG, ORE. -- Tiras Koon (Sr., 1B, Honolulu, HI/Iolani School) belted two home runs to help Willamette University take a 4-2 lead, but George Fox University rallied with two runs in the sixth and two more in the eighth to edge the Bearcats, 6-4, in the final game of a Northwest Conference series on Sunday, March 1. Willamette moved to 12-1 overall, 5-1 in the NWC. GFU improved to 6-7 overall, 4-2 in the NWC.

The Bearcats took two of three games in the series and remained in first place in the NWC standings. George Fox and Pacific Lutheran University are both 4-2, while Whitworth University is 2-1.

Koon finished the weekend with three home runs during the series. He hit .545 against the Bruins (6 of 11) with five runs and seven RBIs. He is WU's top hitter for the season with a .395 batting average and a .698 slugging percentage.

George Fox scored first by plating a run in the bottom of the second inning. Zach Rapacz doubled through the left side. Jake Thran hit a bunt single between home plate and the mound, allowing Rapacz to reach third.

One out later, Mason Dunning singled through the left side to drive in Rapacz. Riley McKean hit into a 6-4-3 double play to end the threat.

Willamette equalized the score after Austin Hagarty (Jr., 2B, Roseville, CA/Woodcreek HS) opened the third inning with a single. He went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Shea Harrison (Jr., RHP/OF, El Cerrito, CA/El Cerrito HS). Troy Conway (Fr., 2B, Moorpark, CA/Moorpark HS) drove in Hagarty with a single to left.

The Bearcats surged in front 3-1 in the fourth. Hunter Gallant (Sr., 3B/SS, Rescue, CA/Ponderosa HS) hit a single with one out. He went to second and third on a wild pickoff throw by starting pitcher Taylor Dunn. Gallant then scored on the first of Koon's two homers -- a blast over the right field fence.

George Fox cut the margin to 3-2 when Andrew Reichenbach singled and later scored in the bottom of the fifth. Reichanbach crossed the plate on a two-out RBI single by Kadyn Nannini.

Koon smashed a solo homer in Willamette's next trip to the plate, giving the Bearcats a 4-2 lead after five and a half innings.

A pair of runs tied the score for George Fox in the sixth. Jacob Woehler reached first on an error at second base, and later moved to second on an errant pickoff move. Following a strikeout, Rapaz singled through the left side of the infield to send Woehler home. Singles by Thran and Reichenbach resulted in Rapacz rounding the bases.

Willamette had a chance to rally in the top of the eighth after Rolenn Himuro (Sr., OF, Honolulu, HI/Punahou School) doubled to right center. Himuro went to third on a groundout by Gallant. After Koon was intentionally walked, Tom Zarosinski went to the mound for GFU and recorded a strikeout. Koon was thrown out between first and second for the third out.

The Bruins took the lead in the bottom of the eighth. With one out, Rapacz walked. Thran popped up to second base for the second out, but Reichenbach singled to left and Dunning hit an RBI single up the middle. Eli Skiles ran for Reichenbach at third base and scored on a single by McKean.

George Fox outhit Willamette, 12-9. Rapacz was 3 for 3 with three runs and an RBI, while Reichenbach went 3 for 4 with a run and an RBI. Dunning and Thran each finished 2 for 4, with Dunning also providing two RBIs.

Koon finished 2 for 2 at the plate for WU with two runs and three RBIs from his two home runs. He also walked twice. Seven Bearcats each achieved one hit.

Zarosinski picked up the win to even his record at 1-1. He allowed no hits and struck out two batters in 1 2/3 innings. WU reliever Lucas Still fell to 0-1. Bearcat starter Jackson Watt (Jr., RHP, Rocklin, CA/Whitney HS) pitched six innings and allowed nine hits and four runs (three earned), while recording nine strikeouts and no walks.

Willamette will host Pacific Lutheran University in two Northwest Conference game on Saturday, March 7 at John Lewis Field. Game time for the opener is set for 11 a.m. (PST). The Bearcats and the Lutes also will play one game on Sunday, March 8 at 12 p.m.