SPOKANE, Wash. – Whitworth had the game-winning run at the plate in game one and game two, but both threats were denied by George Fox in a softball doubleheader on Wednesday at Marks Field.
The Pirates (5-20 overall, 3-11 NWC) fell 7-6 in an action-packed nine-inning game one before the Bruins (12-14, 6-8 NWC) capped the day with a tight 4-3 win in game two.
Whitworth will look to flip the script in Thursday's doubleheader that is set to begin at noon.
Game 1: George Fox 7, Whitworth 6 (9 inn.)
A game-tying single in the seventh and a fielding error allowed the Bruins to come out on top of a back-and-forth extra inning battle.
George Fox struck first and took a three-run lead in the second inning. A sacrifice fly opened the scoring before Makayla Noone, who stole five bases on the day, hit a two-run single up the middle.
Whitworth responded in the bottom half. Teeghan Reams opened the inning with her fourth home run of the season to deep left-center field. Megan Highfill followed with an RBI single, and Landri Nakano pushed a run across with a fielder's choice to knot the game at three.
GFU answered back in the third inning with a pair of run scoring extra-base hits to retake a 5-3 lead.
After two scoreless innings, the Bucs stormed back to take the lead in the fifth. Aubrey Bauer smacked a two-run base hit to right center and Brynn Erdmann followed with a go-ahead RBI single to right that put Whitworth up 6-5.
With a chance to close the game out in seventh, GFU opened the inning with a base hit and sacrifice bunt to put a runner in scoring position. With two outs and full count, Cori Doran hit a single up the middle to tie the game. The Pirates had a runner in scoring position in the bottom of the seventh with one out, but two strikeouts pushed the game to extra innings.
After a scoreless eighth inning, the Bruins plated the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth. With a runner on second, Doran hit a fly ball down the right field line that Erdmann couldn't bring in, allowing GFU to gain a 7-6 advantage. Bruin pitcher Nicole Ledendecker held the Bucs off the bases in the bottom half to secure the win.
Erdmann, Highfill, and Kendel Sage each had a pair of hits to lead the Bucs at the plate. Reams drew two walks and Bauer led with two runs batted in.
Madison Sanchez made the start for Whitworth and allowed five runs on five hits with two strikeouts in 2.2 innings. Reams (1-4) struck out a season-high seven batters and allowed two runs (one earned) in 6.1 innings of relief.
Riley Pirkle allowed six runs on eight hits with seven strikeouts in her five-inning start for GFU. Ledendecker (5-2) earned the win after allowing one hit in four innings of relief. Noone and Tinley Taylor each reached base three times to lead the Bruins at the plate.
Game 2: George Fox 4, Whitworth 3
Bethany Wilkes' RBI single in the sixth inning lifted George Fox to a Wednesday sweep.
Whitworth took a one-run lead in the bottom of the first inning after Reams ripped a double to the left-center gap to score Tessa Hahn.
The Bruins responded with three runs in the second. Mia Cantu hit an RBI single and Noone followed with a two-run base hit of her own to give GFU a 3-1 lead.
The Bucs again showed their fight, tying the game in the second inning. After a throwing error allowed Lizzy Bradford and Landri Nakano to move into scoring position, Kendel Sage came through with a single to score both runs.
Both pitchers settled in as neither team could grab the go-ahead run until the top of the sixth. George Fox's Emily Benavidez singled and advanced before Wilkes hit in the go-ahead run with a single through the left side.
Bradford roped a double to get the game-winning run at the plate for the Bucs in the sixth, but Bruin reliever Ledendecker kept the run from scoring with a pop out. Pirkle earned a two-out save in the seventh.
Kendel Sage went 2 for 4 at the plate to lead Whitworth in game two. Hahn reached twice with a hit and walk. Lina Schwippert (2-8) took the loss after allowing four runs (three earned) on eight hits with a season-high seven strikeouts in a full seven inning start.
Allison Heater started for GFU and allowed three runs on five hits in four innings. Ledendecker (6-2) earned her second win of the day with one hit allowed in 2.1 innings. Pirkle recorded her first save of the season. Doran and Wilkes led the Bruins with a pair of hits at the plate.
