| George Fox won their fourth straight opener on Friday. George Fox athletics photo |
The George Fox Bruins started their 2016 season in top form, coming back from behind to defeat the defending Northwest Conference champions No. 17 Pacific Lutheran Lutes 9-8 in the NWC Invitational Tournament. Earlier, freshman starting pitcher Brandon Nelson threw six strong innings, helping Willamette open their season with a 4-1 win over the nationally-ranked Pacific Lutheran Lutes.
Seniors Mitchell Keeler and Nick Maiolo both had two hits, two runs and two RBI as Randolph-Macon edged Millsaps 9-8 in the first game of the Huntingdon Firehouse Classic. Host Huntingdon defeated Southwestern 7-2 in the nightcap.
LeTourneau dropped a 5-4 decision to Arlington Baptist on a chilly Friday night in Longivew to open the 2016 season. The YellowJackets (0-1) were led by senior Taylor Empkey, who went 3-for-5 with a run scored and a RBI. Fellow senior Jordan Carns was the opening day starter and the losing pitcher after a five-inning and seven-strikeout stint.
Leading from the beginning of the game, East Texas Baptist started their 2016 season on the right note with a 12-7 victory over Chapman in California. ETBU started the game by scoring five runs and they never looked back, finishing with 11 hits as a squad.
Justin Vajgert threw six innings while striking out seven batters to lead Sul Ross to a 13-8 victory over visiting Schreiner on a chilly night at Kokernot Field. Vajgert held the Mountaineers to four hits and allowed four runs over his six frames of work.