The Pioneers dropped two close games in Newberg Sunday
afternoon, falling 1-0 (box score) and 10-8
(box score)
to the George Fox Bruins. Paige McFeeley had four hits for the
Pioneers.
In game one, the Pioneers' best scoring opportunity came in the
fourth inning. Paige McFeeley hit a two-out double to right field.
Sheree Miura (junior, Waipahu, Hawaii) followed with a single to
advance McFeeley to third, but a lineout to the pitcher ended the
Pioneer threat and stranded McFeeley on third.
Nathalie Matson (grad, Astoria, Ore.) took the hard-luck loss.
She threw a complete game, allowing just four hits and an unearned
run in the sixth in. She struck out a season-high eight batters
while walking none.
In game two, the Pioneers' offense ignited early. They loaded
the bases with no one out in the first inning, with Jessica Mullins
(sophomore, Randle, Wash.) drawing an RBI walk to drive in the
first run. A sac fly by Sheree Miura put the Pioneers up 2-0.
In the second inning, Laura Parker (junior, Healdsburg, Calif.)
and Jessica Mullins hit back-to-back doubles with runners on to
help the Pioneers build a 6-0 lead. After Mullins' double, George
Fox changed pitchers, putting their game one winner, White, back in
the circle. She immediately got out of the inning.
Fox answered with five runs in the third inning, getting four
straight hits, including a two-run homerun, to fuel their rally.
The Pioneers built on their slim one run lead in the sixth
inning. Paige McFeeley singled to lea off. A single by Jamie Moon
(sophomore, Baker City, Ore.) followed by a double by Karyne Sander
(senior, Grants Pass, Ore.) helped the Pioneers extend the lead to
8-5.
The Bruins duplicated their third-inning efforts in the sixth,
sending ten to the plate, scoring five runs on four hits, two
walks, a hit batter, and an error to take a 10-8 lead.
The Pioneers had a chance in the seventh. After the leadoff
runner reached on an error, Kim Kittell (sophomore, Tillamook,
Ore.) singled to give the Pioneers runners at first and second with
no outs. Neither baserunner managed to advance, with the
Pioneers stranding them on those same respective bases to end the
game.
Nathalie Matson picthed her second complete game of the day,
taking the loss for the Pioneers. She allowed 10 runs (six earned)
on 13 hits, walking four, and striking out two.
Paige McFeeley had four hits, two in each game. Jessica Mullins
drove in three runs in game two.
The two teams will try to rescheduled Saturday's snowed out
games for sometime this coming week. Continue to check the website
for updates on those new game days and times. The games will be
played at the Huston Sports Complex and an internet broadcast will
be available.
