CHANDLER, Ariz. – Bushnell's first-ever game played in the Grand Canyon State didn't go their way on Thursday evening as they gave up seven unearned runs in a 10-4 loss to Benedictine-Mesa. Game two of the scheduled double-header was cancelled after three and a half innings and will not be made up.
The Beacons out-hit BenU 12-7 in the game and had five extra-base hits, but couldn't put enough runs on the board to keep pace with the Redhawks who took advantage of four Bushnell errors.
After staking BenU to a 5-1 lead, the Beacons rallied to score three times, including two runs in the top of the sixth to make it a 5-4 game.
Halliday Hubbard notched a sacrifice fly while
Taylor Kenworthy connected on an RBI double to fuel the comeback attempt.
Unfortunately, the Redhawks added five runs, all unearned, in the bottom of the sixth as Bushnell gave up three of their errors allowing the home team to escape with the win.
Emily Cole (0-1) made her Bushnell debut in the circle, going the distance and giving up three earned runs while striking out six batters in six innings. She also had her first two hits as a Beacon.
Madison Steelman and
Faith Wayman both went 3-for-3 in the game with an RBI. Steelman also connected for a pair of doubles and two runs.
Mother Nature got the best of the Beacons in the night cap, which was cancelled after three and a half innings with Bushnell trailing 4-2. Stats from the game will not carry forward. as they fell 4-2.
The Beacons (0-1) are scheduled to head from Chandler to Surprise on Friday to take on Ottawa University (0-2). The Spirit dropped a pair to No. 13 College of Idaho on Thursday in their season opener.
