Bruins Win Twice, but Lucio Earns Four Hits Overall, Dose is 3-for-3 in Opener

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- George Fox University defeated Willamette University in both games of a Northwest Conference doubleheader, 9-1 and 9-3, on Thursday, April 7 at the WU Softball Field, but that didn't stop Carrie Dose (So., 1B/P, Eugene, OR/Churchill HS/Buena Vista Univ.) from going 3-for-3 in the opener for the Bearcats. In addition, Sophia Lucio (So., RF, Martinez, CA/College Park HS) of WU earned two hits in both games and was 4 of 6 in the twinbill. The first game was decided on the run rule in six innings.

The Bruins upped their record to 24-10 overall, 16-6 in the NWC. Willamette's record moved to 8-24 on the season, 5-17 in the NWC. The teams are scheduled to complete the four-game series with a doubleheader on Saturday, April 9 at the WU Softball Field. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. (PDT).

Dose Goes 3-for-3, Lucio is 2-for-2, in First Game

Kamryn Potter gave GFU a 1-0 lead with a solo home run as the first batter in the opening game. The Bruins added two singles and a walk but left the bases loaded. In the top of the second, George Fox tacked on two runs. With two outs and Potter at first with a single, Claire Fountain hit a fly ball to center that was dropped. Potter and Fountain scored on the play.

GFU increased its lead to 5-0 with two runs in the fourth. Katie Ladd belted a solo home run to left field with one out. Potter followed with a single, stole second base, and went to third on an infield hit by Fountain. Potter scored when Fountain was thrown out at second as Sharon Tomei reached first base on a fielder's choice. An errant throw at the end of the play allowed Tomei to advance to second. A foul out ended the inning.

After the Bruins added a run in the top of the fifth, the Bearcats countered with one run in the bottom of the inning. With one out, Lucio beat out an infield single toward the shortstop. Mia Lund (So., OF, Omaha, NE/Westside HS) hit a sacrifice bunt that was fielded by the pitcher, allowing Lucio to reach second. Brianna Majors (Jr., SS/2B, San Diego, CA/Cathedral Catholic HS) hit a fly ball to right field that was dropped. Lucio scored from second on the play.

Three runs in the sixth inning -- two on a homer to left center by Sydney Sandifer -- gave the Bruins a 9-1 margin. Dose singled for WU to start the bottom of the sixth and Gianna Marchese (Sr., 3B, Seattle, WA/Bishop Blanchet HS/St. Martin's Univ.) added a single one out later. A strikeout and a fielder's choice ended the inning, as GFU won on the run rule.

Dose was 3 of 3, while Lucio went 2 of 2 with a run scored. Potter finished 3 of 4 for the Bruins, with a homer, three runs, and an RBI. Sandifer was 2 of 4 with a homer and two RBIs, while Tomei was 2 of 4 with a double and an RBI. GFU pitcher Ashley Davis improved to 16-4. She allowed just six hits while striking out eight batters. WU starter Jordyn Johnson (So., P, Winslow, AZ/Winslow HS) fell to 3-10. She pitched 5 2/3 innings and had five strikeouts.

Four Bearcats Each Provide Two Hits in Second Game

In the second game, four Willamette players each contributed two hits. They were Marykate DeLuca (Jr., C, San Diego, CA/San Diego International Studies) and Cora Erickson (So., C, Issaquah, WA/Issaquah HS), both 2 for 3, as well as Majors and Lund, both 2 of 4. For GFU, Emma Classen went 3 of 4 to help the Bruins gain a 13-10 edge in hits while winning 9-3.

The Bruins plated two runs in each of the first two innings. Potter singled to start the game and Fountain added a double down the left field line. Tomei lined out, but Sandifer drove in Potter with a ground out to shortstop. Kimberly Pulido brought home Fountain with a single. In the second inning, Ladd hit an RBI single and Potter added a line-drive sacrifice fly.

Willamette cut the lead to 4-2 with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second. DeLuca singled to left center with one out. Cora Erickson (So., C, Issaquah, WA/Issaquah HS) tacke on a single through the left side. With two outs, Kelsey Wong (Sr., UT, Honolulu, HI/Punahou School) loaded the bases when she reached first on a fielding error at second. Majors batted next and smacked a two-run single to center, as DeLuca and Erickson crossed the plate.

George Fox increased its lead to 7-2 with three runs in the fourth. After Jennifer McCue walked, Classen sent a double to left center, placing runners at the corners. Ladd belted a two-run double to left field. Ladd later scored on a double down the right field line by Tomei.

Willamette scored a run in the bottom of the fourth to pull within 7-3. DeLuca hit a leadoff double and Alexandra Richards (Fy., OF, Bellevue, WA/Newport HS) pinch-ran. Erickson singled to left, sending Richards to third. Adele Benny (Jr., OF, Bee Cave, TX/Lake Travis HS) pinch-ran for Erickson, and then Kendra Knapp placed an RBI single into left field as Richards scored. A foul out and a double play ended the threat.

The Bruins plated one run in the fifth and one run in the sixth to complete the scoring. In the fifth, Classen hit an RBI double. In the sixth, Foutain belted a solo home run.

Ashley Davis of GFU tossed the final four stanzas to pick up her second win of the day for a 17-4 overall record. Willamette starter Kenna Davis fell to 4-9.