EUGENE, Ore. – The Bushnell softball team played their home-opener on Sunday, splitting a double-header with Willamette University. Senior Sam Silver threw a complete game and allowed just one earned run as the Beacons claimed a 6-4 victory in the opener.
 
GAME ONE: Bushnell 6, Willamette 4
 
The Bushnell bats were popping in the opener as the Beacons combined for nine hits including four extra-base efforts. Highlighting the offense were back-to-back standup triples from Suzi Krstic and Hannah Tennant as part of a three-run third inning that gave the Beacons the lead for good.
 
Madison Steelman provided the first run of the game with an RBI single in the first inning, and later scored on an RBI groundout from Tennant as the Beacons opened up a 2-0 lead.
 
In the top of the third, Willamette was able to take a brief lead, getting a three-run home run from MK DeLuca. All three runs were unearned as they came with two outs after a previous passed ball on a strikeout earlier in the inning.  
 
Bushnell took the lead back in the bottom of the third and Steelman doubled in the fourth to bring home Alyssa Ferreira for an insurance run.
 
Sam Silver (1-3) struck out five batters over seven innings to claim her first victory of the season while Ferreira led the offense batting 3-for-3 with two runs and two stolen bases.  
 
GAME TWO: Willamette 8, Bushnell 0 (5 Innings)
 
Bushnell's game-two woes continued on Sunday and this time it was just one big inning that spelled disaster.
 
The Bearcats posted all eight of their runs in the fourth inning. Starter Leslie Reynaga (1-1) had three great innings to open the game before getting in to trouble and was charged with all eight runs, although just four were earned. Tatum Guzman finished out the fourth inning allowing two hits and Liz Hillier threw a perfect fifth-inning for the Beacons.
 
Bushnell collected just four hits in the game, including a triple for Krystal Akagi. Krstic, Tennant, and Mandy Fetters added singles.
 
Next:
 
The Beacons (3-7) will be back in action at home next Saturday, taking on Pacific University at 11:00 am for a double-header.