LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN -- The Covenant softball team opened up the home season with two losses to visiting George Fox on a blustery day on Lookout Mountain. George Fox took the opener, 5-0, before securing the sweep with an 8-1 victory in the finale.

Covenant and George Fox will conclude the series on Friday. Thursday's scheduled doubleheader has been moved to Friday starting at 2 p.m. due to expected inclement weather on Thursday.

GAME 1: George Fox 5, Covenant 0

The Scots tallied five hits in game one, but could not turn any of them into runs as the Bruins earned the shutout victory.

The action began in the second inning when George Fox would take a 2-0 lead off of two hits. Singles from Sydney Sandifer and Kimberly Pulido, followed by a sacrifice groundout from Brooke Riggins allowed the Bruins the two scores.

Taylor Murdock and Rebecca Hazard both singled in the bottom of the second, putting Covenant runners in scoring position. But, the pair of hits was all the Scots got in the frame.

The score would remain 2-0 until the top of the sixth when George Fox made it 4-0 off two hits and a Covenant error. Katie Ladd doubled and Pulido recorded another single during the rally.

Covenant had a runner in scoring position in their half of the sixth, thanks to an error from the Bruins and a single from Murdock, but, the Bruins' defense shut down the threat from the Scots, keeping the score at 4-0.

George Fox would score their final run of the game in the top of the seventh when Emma Classen tripled and was quickly brought around to score by Kamryn Potter. Covenant produced a three-up, three-down bottom of the seventh, resulting in the 5-0 win for the visiting Bruins.

Murdock went 2-for-3 with two singles. Vanessa Davis, Kathleen Carpenter, and Hazard all had one hit apiece. Lauren Kierpa (1-2) pitched the entirety of the contest, allowing seven hits, three earned runs, and four strikeouts.

For the Bruins, Pulido was 2-for-3 with two RBIs, while Classen went 2-for-4 with a triple. Ashley Davis got the start in the circle for George Fox and produced six strikeouts and zero earned runs in seven innings pitched.

GAME 2: George Fox 8, Covenant 1

The bats for the Bruins remained hot in game two, as the guests totaled 13 hits in an 8-1 win over the Scots.

The visitors took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first, thanks to an RBI double from Sandifer.

They would then produce a five-run second inning, quickly extending their lead to six (6-0). The Bruins recorded five hits during the rally, including a three-RBI homer from Sharon Tomei.

The score would remain 6-0 until Davis launched one over the left field fence, cutting the lead to five (6-1). It was the sophomore's second homer of the season.

Though, the Bruins would answer with two more runs in their half of the seventh, giving them an 8-1 lead. George Fox used three hits during the inning, including a double from Ladd.

Carpenter would record a single in Covenant's half of the seventh; but the Scots were again unable to score, resulting in the 8-1 defeat.

Covenant tallied five hits in game two, led by Makenna Dance who was 2-for-3. Carpenter, Davis, and Murdock all notched one hit apiece. 

Madison McDonald (1-1) started in the circle for the Scots, with two strikeouts and six earned runs over two innings pitched. Kierpa followed with five innings of relief, striking out six with two earned runs.

Pulido went 3-for-4 for the Bruins, while Classen and Sandifer were both 2-for-4 with two RBIs each. Emma Eastman (1-0) pitched all seven innings, with one earned run and nine strikeouts.

UP NEXT

Covenant will face the Bruins once again on Friday in a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m.

CONNECT WITH THE SCOTS

Be sure to follow the Scots all season long on athletics.covenant.edu and on social media at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for up-to-date scores, news and other information.