In the inaugural season for the revived Bushnell baseball program, the Beacons set high standards and paved the way for future student-athletes through their efforts on and off the field.
 
The Beacons accomplished many firsts and exciting moments, including a four-game sweep over Corban to open conference play, their first walk-off late in the season followed by an extra-inning victory just one game later. They brought a refreshing level of energy to every game, celebrating every moment, before culminating the season with the Cascade Collegiate Conference's Male Team of Character Award.
 
Jeff Fripp was honored as part of the All-Conference team after a strong season leading the Bushnell offense. Fripp batted .311 on the season and led the team in multiple categories including runs (28), hits (47), home runs (8) and runs batted in (27).
 
It wasn't an easy journey for the Beacons as they started their campaign with 11 straight losses. The season opened with a road trip to California to take on Simpson University and William Jessup University. Despite the slow start, there were some notable history-making moments in the opening series, including the first hit of the NAIA-era which came from freshman Brandon Reed. The first home run and run scored came off the bat of freshman Jameson Hussey.
 
The first home games kicked off the following weekend as the Beacons hosted Corban and Oregon Tech. After dropping the first three, Bushnell made history with its first win on Feb. 20, a 6-0 shutout of Corban at the Hamlin Sports Complex.
 
There were plenty of headline makers in the contest, led by the pitching tandem of Jahshua Yacapin and Kai Keamo. The duo combined for a four-hitter and struck out 11 batters. Yacapin threw 5.1 innings, striking out six before giving way to Keamo in the sixth. Keamo picked up his first collegiate save, throwing the final 3.2 innings and striking out five batters.
 
Head Coach Tommy Richards said, "That was a complete team win. Jahshua and Keamo pitched really well, we played solid defense, and we were able to produce offensively. All three phases contributed. I am really happy for the guys and really happy for the people who have invested so much into the program. It took us a while to get the first one, and now we just need to keep getting better."
 
The Beacons dropped eight of their next nine games to finish non-conference play with a 2-19 record before taking a mid-week trip to Pullman, Wash. for an exhibition game with NCAA Division I Washington State University, Richards' alma matter. It was a much-needed change of pace as the team looked to put the non-conference slate behind them.
 
They did just that, making some noise just two days later at home by opening CCC action with a four-game weekend sweep of Corban. The Beacons put up 25 hits and 25 runs through the first two games. Senior Abbott Haffar allowed just one run in eight innings of work in game three to earn his first pitching victory in his best outing of the season to that point.
 
Game four was highlighted by home runs from Hussey, Reece Carganilla and Fripp. Following the sweep, Bushnell Baseball was named the CCC Team of the Week by the conference office.
 
"The team brought the energy and stayed live through all four of our games this weekend," said Haffar. "They fired me up and helped me to do my job. WIN. That's it. We keep moving forward and keep getting better. I am looking forward to the next opportunity."
 
Richards said, "This was a good weekend for the Beacons and definitely a step in the right direction. I think the lesson to be learned is to stay in the present moment and play the game one page at a time. When we do that, we seem to be able to compartmentalize and take advantage of opportunities when they arise. I am proud of the effort, and I thought the energy was good from the team all weekend long."
 
The Beacons split with Eastern Oregon University in La Grande the following weekend. Haffar had his second straight dominant outing, retiring the first 17 batters he faced as he took a perfect game into the sixth. He finished the game allowing just one hit through seven innings. The senior was named the Cascade Conference WVT Laboratory Pitcher of the Week for his performance.
 
Bushnell then hit a rough patch, dropping three against the College of Idaho before being swept by Oregon Tech. Despite the setback, the Beacons remained in postseason contention, entering their final home series against the University of British Columbia.
 
The Beacons and Thunderbirds split the series with both wins for Bushnell coming in dramatic fashion. The first came in game two as Hussey recorded the first walk-off for the Beacons of the NAIA-era. The winning moment came with two outs in the bottom of the ninth as Hussey lined a shot down the left field line to bring home two runs and clinch a 5-4 victory.
 
"I'm glad I was able to help the team out in the second game," said Hussey. "Our pitching did a great job all day long to keep us in the game and we fought until the very end. It just goes to show that we may be down but are never out."
 
Just one game later, the Beacons pulled off their first extra-inning victory. Daniel Furman pitched the final three innings, facing just nine batters and not allowing a hit in the scoreless outing. Bushnell opened the bottom of the 12th with three straight walks to load the bases. Dylan Carson made contact in the following at-bat, sending a grounder to second base to bring home Dylan Martin for the walk off.
 
Bushnell faced a powerhouse in the season finale, taking on the CCC Champion and eventual NAIA runner-up Lewis-Clark State College. The Beacons dropped all three games to conclude their debut campaign with a record of 9-14 (11-37 overall) for fifth place in the conference standings, finishing just a game and half out of the playoffs.
 
Following the season, the team was recognized as the Cascade Collegiate Conference Les Schwab Male Team of Character, voted on by the CCC athletic directors and awarded to a team that embodies the values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership.
 
Bushnell was involved in numerous community service projects, including helping first-time collegiate students move into their dorm rooms. As part of Bushnell's "Embrace the Community Day" in the fall, the team worked for "Looking Glass," a local program for runaway and homeless teens. The Beacons also helped with a large painting and cleaning project at their New Roads School property, along with serving the community in-season by collecting over 400-pounds of food and non-perishable items for FOOD For Lane County – during their bye-week in the conference schedule.
 
Richards said, "This is a big deal for our program, and I am grateful for the conference recognition of the work our guys put in outside of the lines. I have a ton of respect for the teams in our conference and I believe there is huge character and community mindfulness in the CCC. Our players have a heart for the community and their passion to serve others is inspiring. I look forward to building on the relationships we made this year and am excited to see their continued service around Lane County."
 
During the offseason, many of this inaugural recruiting class can be found competing in summer wood bat leagues at a variety of levels around the country.

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