SPRINGFIELD, Ore. – With a consistent rain falling the entire afternoon, No. 1 ranked Southern Oregon University swept a pair of games from Bushnell University on Friday, opening up Cascade Collegiate Conference action with 13-3 and 15-0 wins at Rich Schwab Field.
 
It took both teams a while to adjust to the weather as game-one starting pitchers Gabby Sandoval of SOU and Miranda Jensen of Bushnell combined to allowed 12 walks. It was the Raider bats, however, that were able to take advantage, posting three runs in the first, two in the second and three in the third inning.
 
Down 8-0 in the bottom of the fourth, Bushnell did what they could to try and avoid the run-rule, scoring three runs. With two outs and two runners on, senior Anna Cardwell punched a single through the left side to score both Miranda Jensen and Suzi Krstic. Jordan Kuykendall singled to move Cardwell to third and a passed ball brought her home.
 
The Raiders, however, weren't done. The top of the fifth saw the final five runs come across, capped by a grand slam from Riley Donovan.
 
Sandoval (7-0) finished the game with five strikeouts, allowing no earned runs on five hits. Jensen (2-3) gave up ten hits but just five of the 13 runs were earned.
 
Lauren Quirke collected three singles in the game, scoring three runs with three RBI while Donovan totaled six RBI as she also produced two doubles in addition to her second home run of the season.
Game two proved more troublesome for the Beacons, who gave up eight runs in the first inning and six in the second. Bushnell was out-hit 9-3, getting singles from Krstic, Noel Balderston, and Madison Steelman.

 
After the game, head coach Katie Duroe was focusing on the positive things she saw from a number of her freshmen. "I just want to highlight Alyssa Ferriera (pictured, below) in centerfield and Faith Wayman (pictured above) behind the plate.," she said. "Alyssa made some spectacular diving catches out there and Faith threw out two batters in game one. I am really proud of them."
 
Bushnell looks to rebound tomorrow, playing two more with the Raiders to close out the weekend. Game one, beginning at 11:00 am is a conference game while the 1:00 pm game is a non-conference affair.