SALEM, Ore. – The Bushnell University softball team dropped their fourth and fifth straight games on Friday, but not for a lack of fight. Corban University claimed the double-header with 1-0 and 10-8 victories.
 
GAME ONE: Corban 1, Bushnell 0
 
An incredible pitching performance by Miranda Jensen was spoiled by a lead-off home run in the first inning by Makiah Johnson. Jensen allowed just five hits in the game, but the Beacons ran into a buzz-saw pitcher of their own as they suffered a one-hit shutout at the hands of Ally Crakes. Crakes struck out seven and gave up just a single to Alyssa Ferreira.
 
Head Coach Katie Duroe said, "Miranda pitched a great game and our defense played really well in game one. Our hitters just struggled to adjust to Corban's starter."
 
GAME TWO: Corban 10, Bushnell 8
 
Trailing 8-0 heading into the fifth inning, things looked bleak for the Beacons in the night cap. The Bushnell bats finally broke through against the Warrior pitching staff in the fifth, however, plating seven runs to climb right back into the contest. Anabel Mendez and Kerry Murphy each collected key two-RBI hits in the rally, which saw the first 11 Beacons reach base.
 
After Corban got back two runs in the bottom of the fifth, Anabel Mendez provided one last spark with a sixth-inning solo home run, but that would be the end of the scoring for the visitors.
 
"We had a rough third inning on defense," said Duroe, "and we found ourselves about to get run-ruled. The girls came out with a ton of fight in the fifth. We used a lot of pinch hitters and runners and I was really proud that every single one of our substitutions produced for our lineup."
 
The Beacons and Warriors will go toe-to-toe again on Saturday, beginning at 11:00 am.