EUGENE, Ore. – Dangling just outside of reach of the post-season over the past few years, the Bushnell softball team looks to finally get over the hump as the 2023 season gets underway this week.
 
The Beacons have long suffered for their first bid to the Cascade Collegiate Conference post-season. Outside of the CoVID-cancelled 2020 campaign, the Beacons have been just one win out of the CCC tournament for four straight years.
 
"With the additions we have made, we are going to be right where we were last season and we definitely have a chance to be even better," said Head Coach Jim Patrick who heads into his second season at the helm of the Beacons.
 
Those additions include five transfers and one freshman, bolstering the experience level of the team at multiple positions to a team with 12 returners.
 
Outfield
 
The outfield will provide an experienced core for the Beacons this season. Patrick said, "We are faster in the outfield this year, and we have a tough group of juniors leading the way."
 
Left and Centerfield will be patrolled by seasoned vets Madison Steelman and Alyssa Ferreira respectively. Steelman was one of three players to start every game in 2022, and she racked up the third-highest total of extra-base hits on the team including four triples, the most in a single-season for a Beacon player in 20 years.
 
Ferreira was also an offensive bright spot for the team last year, hitting .366. She ranked third on the team in hits despite missing ten games.
 
A new outfielder for the Beacons, but certainly not new to collegiate softball is right fielder Ericka Allen. The Roseburg native began her career at College of the Siskiyous where she was a first-team All-Golden Valley Conference selection and hit .456.
 
Also available for time in the grass will be a number of pitchers and utility players.
 
Infield
 
At first base will be highly touted transfer Hannah Tennant (Las Vegas, Nevada). The junior may be one of the most decorated athletes to play for the Beacons after earning NFCA First-Team All-American honors as a sophomore at Southwestern Oregon Community College. "Hannah gives us long range at first," said Patrick, "and has an outstanding consistent bat."
 
Senior Krystal Akagi is once again being called upon to show her versatility as she moves to her third different starting role at second base. Akagi transitioned from the outfield to first base last season and had a stellar campaign, earning the team's gold glove award for her efforts. Akagi was the team leader in stolen bases last season and is expected to be called upon as the team's leadoff hitter once again.
 
Also expected to vie for time at second base is the lone freshman on the roster, Emma Hitt. Hitt has the distinct historic honor of becoming the first legacy player in Bushnell softball history. Her mother, Casie (Bord) Hitt was a pitcher for the Crusaders in the late 1990's and early aughts. She threw the first No-Hitter in Bushnell history back in 1999.
 
Moving from second to shortstop this season will be junior Suzi Krstic. One of the top three returning hitters on the team, Krstic is also standout defender.
 
One of the biggest competitions for a starting spot has developed at third base where four players are in the conversation for playing time. The group includes junior transfers Mandy Fetters and Molly Haley, who will also be candidates to provide a Designated Hitter as well when needed. Fetters, an intra-conference transfer from Eastern Oregon University used a red-shirt with the Beacons last year while Haley comes in from another NAIA school in the University of Jamestown.
 
Also expected to have ample opportunity at the hot corner are senior Bryana Yoshida and sophomore Tatum Guzman.
 
Catchers
 
Leading a trio of catchers for the Beacons is junior Faith Wayman who played all but one of Bushnell's games behind the dish last season. Not only is she an experienced catcher who provides a good rapport with the pitching staff, but Patrick also notes her bat will be heavily relied upon this season. "Faith has really been hitting the ball this fall and spring and it's going to be very tough to keep her out of the lineup," said Patrick.
 
Also available to catch are Molly Haley and sophomore Michelle Sierra.
 
Pitchers
 
A full complement of six pitchers will provide the Beacons with their most complete pitching staff in school history, and under the tutelage of pitching coach Megan Kleist, they are all expected to have an impact throughout the season both in starting and bullpen roles.
 
Coach Patrick said, "Megan has put in some great weekly competition among our pitchers and it is making all of them put in the time. We will have a true staff, and we have a lot of talent. We just need to use the preseason to figure out each of their strengths and to see how all the puzzle pieces will fit together."
 
Senior Sam Silver provides a strong level of leadership for the Beacons on and off the field. The NAIA's Leroy Walker Champion of Character Award winner for 2021-2022 was the top pitcher for the Beacons last season, collecting eight wins.
 
Also returning are senior Leslie Reynaga, Breanna Hilton, and Tatum Guzman.
 
Liz Hillier, a junior transfer from Clackamas CC and Jada Young, a sophomore from Western Oregon join the staff this season and are among the contenders to earn starting spots.
 
Patrick said, "Sam's experience probably gives her the edge over everyone right now, but Liz has been our biggest surprise. She has worked hard to get better and you can see the effort paying off. Jada is throwing really well right now. Her change up is moving and when she builds up her confidence she can help us out a ton."
Schedule
 
The Beacons will open up a 12-game non-conference slate on Wednesday, traveling to take on Western Oregon University at 11:00 am. The first home games come on Sunday, February 12 against Willamette University.
 
Last season Bushnell finished 15-33 overall and 11-19 in the Cascade Conference. The Beacons ended in a three-way tie for sixth-place and lost out on a playoff spot on a tiebreaker. Considered the toughest conference in the country, the CCC features four teams currently ranked in the Top-20 in the NAIA national coaches poll.
 
Bushnell opens their trip through the circuit in Ashland on February 24 against No. 10 Southern Oregon before coming home the following week to face British Columbia. Should the Beacons be able to finally climb the ladder, the top-six teams will compete in the CCC tournament beginning May 5th.