NEWBERG, ORE. - Early deficits continue to plague the Linfield Wildcats as they fell twice to the George Fox Bruins in Newberg, Ore., 9-6 and 11-3. Despite fighting back, Linfield's bullpen struggled continued and it's bats drew cold in Game 2. With the losses, Linfield sits at 4-13 overall and 2-9 in Northwest Conference play. The Bruins are now 12-6 with a 9-2 NWC record.
RECAP
GAME 1
After trailing 3-0 after the first two innings, Linfield battled back to tie the game over the next three frames.
Kurt Potter doubled to score
Wyatt Smith in the fourth. Later in the inning,
Tanner Earhart reached on an error that allowed Potter to score.
Linfield starting pitcher
Cason Cunningham left with the game in the sixth. He allowed four runs on three hits, walked five and struck out five.
George Fox regained the lead in the sixth with Sam Swenson hit a sacrifice fly to center that brought in Matt Ramirez.
With the Bruins ahead 6-3 in the eighth, Matt Voelzke hit a three-run homer to break the game open, doubling the George Fox lead.
The 'Cats pushed three runs across in the ninth but eventually fell to the Bruins 9-6. Linfield out-hit George Fox 11-10.
The duo of Potter and Smith led the Linfield lineup. Potter went 2-2 with two RBI doubles, and a pair of walks. Smith hit 4-5 with a double and two runs scored.
GAME 2
Linfield jumped to a 1-0 lead in the first inning when
Brian Cromwell singled to the pitcher allowing
Cameron Fox to score.
George Fox went back in front on a double down the left field line by Colby Watilo in the second inning.
Linfield starter
Colton Meyer threw strikes but the Bruins had his number. He allowed nine hits in five inning where he allowed five runs.
With the score 5-1 Bruins after the fifth, Linfield attempted another comeback. A triple from Cromwell scored Fox for the second time. Later, a Earhart ground out brought in Cromwell to make it 5-3.
The Bruins were dominant over the last third of the game and scored six runs off of Linfield's relief pitching. George Fox went on to win 11-3.
George Fox starter Landon Schirer went the distance and threw a complete game where he gave up three runs on three hits and struck out seven.
NEXT
Linfield and George Fox wrap up the three-game series tomorrow in Newberg. First pitch is scheduled for noon.
