REDDING, Calif. – Sam Silver pitched a shutout for the visiting Bushnell University softball team as the Beacons earned their first win of the season and a series split with Simpson University in non-conference softball action on Wednesday. 

Simpson (2-4) won the first game, 2-0, after a 12-strikeout performance from Red Hawks' pitcher Kylee Potes. Bushnell (1-5) held off the Red Hawks, 1-0, in the second game with an early run and multiple run-saving defensive plays.  

Co-Head Coach Jim Patrick said, "Aliyah threw well but we just didn't back her up . We just didn't execute offensively but we played solid defensively. Sam threw a great second game. We had a couple errors, but made some great plays. It was a great day."

The win snaps a 21-game losing streak to Simpson. It is also the first shutout for Bushnell since March 16, 2019, a span of 92 games.

Silver (pictured) said, "That was the best game we've played as a team. I could not have done it without every single one of those girls behind me having my back. Simpson had chances to score but we came together and shut them down. I loved every second of today. Even in the first game, Aliyah took it to them, we just didn't have the bats there to back her. It was a great day and one I'll remember forever."

GAME ONE: Simpson 2, Bushnell 0

The Beacons were unable to get the bats going in the opener. A pair of third inning throwing errors proved costly as the Red Hawks scored two unearned runs in the frame to secure the opener.

Alyssa Ferreira, Anabel Mendez and Silver each finished with a hit for the Beacons.

Aliyah Kelly (0-3) got the start in the circle for Bushnell, putting up another strong stat line. She allowed three hits in six innings pitched and did not give up an earned run.

Potes (1-1) recorded the shutout for the Red Hawks, striking out 12 on the day.

GAME TWO: Bushnell 1, Simpson 0
Silver (1-2) earned the first shutout of her Bushnell career, allowing six hits in the defensive battle. 

Braydi Johnson, Ferreira and Madison Steelman opened the game with three consecutive singles before Mendez drove in Johnson with a sacrifice fly to make it a 1-0 lead for the Beacons.

The Red Hawks had two runners in scoring position with no outs in the bottom of the fifth after a fielding error and a double, but the Beacons made up for it by throwing out both runners at home. Three heads up plays by the Bushnell infield ensured no runners crossed home in the inning.

Faith Wayman caught a runner stealing home for the first out. A walk put runners on first and third, but Jordan Kuykendall charged a bunt and beat the runner to the plate for the second. Wayman held off the celebration and made a hard throw to Krstic waiting at third to get the third out.   

Silver went on to work her way out of a leadoff double in the sixth, forcing a groundout before striking out the next two batters. The bottom of the seventh also featured a Red Hawk double, this time with one out before a popup and groundout ended the game.

Eight Beacons finished with at least one hit. 

Up next, Bushnell plays a doubleheader at Lewis & Clark on Feb. 19 before hosting Willamette University on Feb. 20 for the home opener.