REDDING, Calif.  – Bushnell University trailed early in the series finale at Simpson University, falling 7-4 in the non-conference baseball matchup, hosted at Shasta College.
 
Head Coach Tommy Richards said, "They won more pitches than we did today. The difference in the game came down to a few inches at some critical times."
 
The Beacons struck first on an RBI-single to center field by Brandon Reed before the Red Hawks scored the next five to take a 5-1 lead entering the third inning.
 
Bushnell got within two runs after scoring one in the fifth and sixth innings off an RBI-single by Cayden Delozier and a sacrifice fly from Jordan Wilson. Simpson brought in a run in the bottom of the frame on a Beacon error to push its lead back out to three.
 
CJ Smith recorded an RBI in the top of the seventh on a groundout, but the Red Hawks answered once again with a run in the bottom of the eighth on a sacrifice fly.
 
Ethan Paulson (0-1) took the loss on the mound, giving up five runs on six hits through the first two innings. Trevor Hammond pitched three scoreless innings of relief, allowing three hits, before Jahshua Yacapin threw the next two frames. Blake Stavros pitched a hitless top of the eighth.
 
Delozier finished 3-for-5 at the plate to lead the Beacons (4-2), while Ethan Stacy finished 2-for-3.
 
Connor Caporale (2-0) got the pitching win for Simpson (5-9), allowing two runs on nine hits in five innings of work. Senituli Taufahema and Brady Meeds recorded three hits apiece to lead the Red Hawk offense.
 
Up next, Bushnell hosts the University of British Columbia on Feb. 24-25 for a four-game non-conference series at the Hamlin Sports Complex.