SPRINGFIELD, Ore. – The Bushnell University baseball team swept Saturday's doubleheader with Corban University, winning 8-5 and 11-6, to take three of four games in the non-conference series at the Hamlin Sports Complex.
Head Coach
Tommy Richards said, "We got better as the weekend went along and I am proud of our club for finishing the job. That's something we haven't done a great job of up to this point. Back to work in preparation for another good team next weekend."
The Beacons improve to 9-5 on the season after taking three of four games over the Warriors (4-11).
Ethan Paulson got Bushnell off to a strong start on the day, giving up just one run in his five-inning outing.
"I was determined to throw a lot of strikes and get some groundballs so the guys behind me could make some plays," said Paulson. "Great defense and timely hitting win games, and I am happy to be a part of that equation. We are glad to win the last three of the series to get some good momentum going into next week."
Game One: Bushnell 8, Corban 5
The Beacons scored all eight of their runs in two innings, posting three in the fourth and five in the fifth, and used 21 players in the contest.
Cayden Delozier,
Jeff Fripp and
Jacob Stoner recorded two hits each. Six of Bushnell's 10 hits went for extra bases.
Paulson (1-1) got the start in game three, tossing five innings for the Beacons. He allowed one run on four hits and tallied six strikeouts.
Trevor Hammond pitched three innings in relief, before
Blake Stavros and
Caleb Watson split the ninth. Watson recorded a save after striking out the final batter.
Bushnell led 8-1 following a five-run bottom of the fifth but Corban gave themselves a shot with a run in the eighth and three more in the top of the ninth before Watson recorded the final out to end the threat.
Preston Johnson (0-3) took the loss on the mound for Corban, allowing one earned run on six hits through three innings of work. Seven different players recorded a hit as the Warriors tallied eight as a team.
Game Two: Bushnell 11, Corban 6
The Warriors recorded the first two runs of game two, both unearned, but the Beacons answered with one run in each of the first three innings.
Dylan Carson hit a solo homer to left center to tie the game before
Cade Crist put the Beacons up 3-2 with an RBI-single to left.
Just like in game one, Bushnell had another five-run inning, this time in the bottom of the fourth, plating five runs for the 8-2 advantage. Corban cut the lead to four in the top of the fifth, but the Beacons got those two runs back in the bottom half to make it a 10-4 game.
The Warriors were within four once again after a Keenan O'Brien solo homer in the top of the seventh, but
Colby Knutzen pitched two scoreless frames to end it. Knutzen did not allow a hit in his two innings pitched and struck out three.
Adam Sabatino (1-1) got the win on the mound, allowing two earned runs on three hits through five innings pitched.
Jayden Soriano threw two innings, allowing two runs on two hits before Knutzen came in for the final two.
Ethan Stacy finished 3-for-4 with a pair of RBIs and five runs scored, Fripp hit 2-for-4 with four RBIs. Six Beacons had a multi-hit game as the team finished with 16.
Up next, Bushnell is scheduled to play at Oregon Tech on March 11-12. Keep an eye on bushnellbeacons.com for any schedule changes due the weather.
