FOREST GROVE, Ore. - The Lewis & Clark men's tennis team nearly defeated the Pacific Boxers on Saturday afternoon, falling 5-4 on the road in Northwest Conference action.
The loss is the Pios first in Northwest Conference action (4-1) and second overall as the Pioneers fall to 4-2 on the season. The Boxers, who are ranked 10th in the West Region, improve to 5-1 overall and 4-1 in the NWC.
The Boxers captured what proved to be the game winning match in doubles play, taking two out of the three. The Pioneers only win in doubles came from Kevin Ross and Michael Brewer in the No. 2 spot. The duo took down Giancarlo Battaglia and Josh Bernstein 8-6.
The other two doubles matches were also close and competitive with Morgan Joyce and Gordon Barrows falling 8-5 in the No. 1 spot, while Harrison Collins and Daniel Hahm fell 8-4 in the No. 3 spot.
Splitting singles wins, the Pios took home victories in the No. 3, 5 and 6 spot. Joyce had his hands full in the No. 3 spot against Grayson Frazier. The Pio dropped the first set 2-6, before bouncing back to take the final two 6-4, 6-2.
Harrison also hand his hands full, winning his match in two sets after going to a tiebreaker. Collins won 6-4 in the opening set before pulling out a 7-6 (8-6) win in the final set. Barrows made quick work of Josh Bernstein 6-4, 6-2 for the other Pio singles point.
Brewer fell 6-3, 6-1 in the No. 1 spot, while Ross lost 6-3 in both sets as the No. 2 and Hahm was taken down 6-4, 7-5 by Clark Wininger.
The Pioneers return to the court on Sunday, March 8 at 1 p.m. at George Fox.
