SALEM, Ore. – The Bushnell University softball team split a midweek doubleheader with Corban University, defeating the Warriors 4-3 before falling 5-3 in the second game as both sides continue to compete for the final spot in the Cascade Collegiate Conference playoffs.

Bushnell (15-29, 11-16 CCC) now sits a game back of Corban (19-29, 12-15) in the conference standings with three CCC games to go at No. 3 Oregon Tech. The Warriors will take on No. 10 Southern Oregon. This weekend's results will determine who qualifies for the postseason tournament.

The Beacons hold the tiebreaker over the Warriors after winning two of three in the regular season conference series. Bushnell won 7-3 on March 8 before today's victory in the opener.

Game One: Bushnell 4, Corban 3

Madison Steelman led the Beacons in the opener, going 2-for-3 at the plate with a pair of RBIs. The sophomore drove in two runs with a double to left center to open the early scoring for Bushnell.

Faith Wayman scored on an error to put the Beacons up 3-0 in the first.

The Warriors scored their first run of the day in the fifth and tied it up with two more in the sixth. With one out in the frame, the Beacons made a critical defensive play at third before Sam Silver (pictured) forced a line drive to center to get out of the inning.

Bushnell loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the sixth, beginning with a Mendez walk. Wayman and Steelman followed with back-to-back singles and Jordan Kuykendall brought in the game-winning run with an RBI-single through the left side.

Silver (8-11) got the start for the Beacons, allowing two earned runs on seven hits with five strikeouts in a complete game effort.

Holly Gonzales pitched all six innings for the Warriors and allowed just one earned run on six hits.

Game Two: Corban 5, Bushnell 3

Paia'ala Wilcox-Molina had four RBIs for the Warriors in the second game, which included a three-run homer in the first inning to grab a 4-0 advantage.

The Beacons got within one in the top of the third as Anabel Mendez, who was walked three times in the game, drove in a pair with a double to right center. Wayman singled up the middle to bring home Mendez.

Braydi Johnson hit a history-making triple in the top of the fourth, as it accounted for the 16^th of the season for the Beacons, breaking a 21-year old record.

Gonzalez (9-11), who was the starting pitcher for Corban in game one, entered the game in the fourth and shut out the Beacons in her four innings of work, allowing just three hits.

Aliyah Kelly pitched six innings for Bushnell, allowing four earned runs, all in the first inning, on five hits.   

The Beacons close out the regular season at No. 3 Oregon Tech on April 29-30 with their sights set on securing a spot in the postseason.