George Fox Outhits Bearcats to Sweep Doubleheader, 7-5 and 9-1

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

NEWBERG, ORE. -- George Fox University outhit Willamette University in both games on Sunday, March 8, as the Bruins swept a doubleheader from the Bearcats, 7-5 and 9-1, at the Morse Athletic Field. GFU gained a 9-6 edge in hits in the opener and held an 11-4 advantage in hits in the second game, which ended on the run rule in six innings.

The Bruins advanced their record to 11-3 on the season, 7-1 in the Northwest Conference. GFU is in first place in the NWC, one game in front of Pacific University (6-2) and Whitworth University (6-2). The Bearcats fell to 1-13 overall, 1-7 in the NWC.

George Fox took a 2-0 lead in the first game by scoring a pair of runs in the second inning. Annie Veatch singled with one out and Kat Hylton followed with a two-run homer to left center.

The Bruins benefited from two more singles and an error later in the inning, but WU starter Jade Smith (So., P, Chico, CA/Chico HS) forced GFU to leave the bases loaded. She struck out Courtney Howard for the second out and forced Kayla Anderson to hit into a fielder's choice toward shortstop that resulted in the final out at third.

Willamette pulled within 2-1 when Myranda Ramirez (So., OF, Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS) pounded out a solo homer with two outs in the top of the fifth. George Fox answered with a two run homer by Howard in the bottom of the fifth for a 4-1 lead.

A three-run, pinch-hit triple by Erin Norris (Sr., 3B/C, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) with two outs in the top of the sixth allowed WU to tie the score. Steffany Dunn (So., SS, Colfax, CA/Colfax HS) re-entered the game for Norris at third and scored on a passed ball, giving the Bearcats 5-4 advantage.

GFU tallied three runs in the bottom of the sixth to regain the lead at 7-5. Second baseman Rebecca Pridmore drove in the first two runs with a one-out triple to right center. Howard used a sacrifice bunt to the circle to bring Pridmore across the plate with the game's final run.

Jenna King (Sr., OF, Camarillo, CA/Adolfo Camarillo HS) singled with one out in the top of the seventh, but the Bearcats were unable to rally.

GFU relief pitcher Madison Sorenson, despite giving up the three-run triple by Norris, was responsible for just one run and earned the win. She struck out four batters, including three strikeouts in the seventh inning. Sorenson upped her record to 4-1. Smith pitched all six innings for Willamette and allowed nine hits, while recording three strikeouts.

Pridmore went 3 for 4 for the Bruins with three-quarters of the cycle on a single, a double and a triple. She also scored two runs and had two RBIs. Ramirez was 2 for 4 with a run and an RBI for Willamette, while Norris was 1 for 1 with three RBIs.

The Bearcats scored a run in the first inning of the second game. With two outs, Heather Winslow (Sr., 1B, Oregon City, OR/Oregon City HS) walked and stole second base. Ashley Pender (Jr., 2B, Reno, NV/North Valleys HS) belted a double to left field to drive in Winslow. A groundout ended the threat.

George Fox received an RBI single from Veatch and a two-run double from Ashley Bunce to surge into a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the second. Anderson singled with one out in the third inning. With two outs, Anderson stole second base and then scored on a single by Alex Parker, as the Bruins increased the margin to 4-1.

Two runs in each of the next two innings, plus a run in the bottom of the sixth, allowed GFU to end the game on the run rule. Bunce hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning.

Bunce was 3 for 3 during the game for GFU, with a single, two doubles and a homer, plus two runs and four RBIs. Parker was 2 for 2 with a double, a run and an RBI. Winslow finished two for 2 with a walk and a run scored for Willamette.

The Bearcats will play at University of Puget Sound in a doubleheader on Saturday, March 14. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. (PDT) in Tacoma, Wash.

Sorenson pitched all six innings for the Bruins, as she limited Willamette to one run and four hits. She registered two strikeouts with one walk. WU starter Hayley Glantz (Sr., P, Reno, NV/Robert McQueen HS) threw the first three innings and allowed four earned runs.