LACEY, Wash – The visiting Bushnell University softball team was shut out by NCAA Division II Saint Martin's University on Saturday with an 8-0 score in both games at Saints Field.

Bushnell (6-11) struggled offensively on Saturday, finding just five hits compared to 19 for Saint Martin's (8-8) in the non-conference doubleheader.

Game One: Saint Martin's 8, Bushnell 0 (6 innings)

Tia Ridings (3-4) pitched four innings in the opener, allowing just one hit. Ridings struck out the side to get the game started and the Saints gave her a 1-0 advantage in the bottom half.

The Beacons threatened in the top of the second after Faith Wayman led off the inning with an infield single. Elizabeth Betsch reached first after a throwing error on a sacrifice bunt attempt, advancing Wayman to second. Both runners advanced once more on a groundout but were stranded as another groundout ended the frame.

Chloe Leverington entered the game in the top of the fifth as Saint Martin's had extended its lead to 5-0. She pitched the final two innings, allowing just one hit, a single from Suzi Krstic in the top of the fifth.

The Saints added three more runs in the bottom of the sixth to end the game via run rule. Malia Pinder finished 4-for-4 at the plate with two doubles for Saint Martin's.

Sam Silver (3-6) got the start in the circle, allowing eight runs (six earned) on 12 hits, pitching all five innings for Bushnell.

Game Two: Saint Martin's 8, Bushnell 0 (5 innings)

The second game was a similar result as the Beacons struggled to get their offense going, finishing with three hits. Aliyah Kelly (2-5) had a strong start in the circle, retiring the first six batters as the sides entered the third inning scoreless. The Saints took off from there, scoring eight runs over the next two innings.

Saint Martin's put up the first run in the bottom of the third before a seven-run fourth inning put the game out of reach. The Saints hit two home runs in the inning, accounting for five of the seven runs. The Beacons used three pitchers in the frame, bringing in Silver, the game one starter, to finish off the inning.

The Beacons were unable to gain any ground in the top of the fifth as the second game ended via run rule. Anabel Mendez, Wayman and Alyssa Ferreira each recorded a hit on the game.

Abby Runyon (2-4) threw four innings for the Saints, allowing two hits. Kylie Parsons closed out the fifth, allowing one hit.  

Bushnell finishes off the series with Saint Martin's tomorrow with two more games, beginning at noon.