GLENDALE, Ariz. – One rough inning was all that separated the Beacons from their first win of the season in an otherwise strong showing Saturday. Bushnell (0-5) dropped a pair of games to Arizona Christian (6-0), a team currently receiving votes in the NAIA coaches poll.
 
GAME ONE: Arizona Christian 1, Bushnell 0
 
For the second straight game, senior hurler Liz Hillier (0-2) found herself in a pitching battle as the Beacons dropped the opener to the Firestorm, 1-0. Hillier gave up just four hits and a first-inning RBI single was the only blemish in her complete game effort.
 
Bushnell was shut out for the second straight game and also had four hits, including two singles (and two stolen bases) from senior Madison Steelman. Violet Richardson (pictured) and Hannah Wambolt also had hits in the loss.
 
GAME TWO: Arizona Christian 12, Bushnell 7
 
The Beacons were finally on the doorstep of their first win of the season in the night cap, holding a 6-1 lead through five and a half innings. With the score tied 1-1, Bushnell broke through with their best frame of the season in the top of the fourth, posting five runs.
 
After loading the bases with just one out, Ericka Allen hit a hard single to the outfield and after a bobble in right field, all three runners were able to score. A pitching change led to a pinch-hitter for the Beacons as senior Faith Wayman stepped in, drilling a two-run home run to left field to make it a 6-1 game.
 
After a scoreless fifth, Bushnell was just six outs away from the victory before the wheels came off the tracks in the bottom of the sixth. The Firestorm found their way to 11 runs in the inning on eight hits, while also benefiting from three Beacon errors.
 
Bushnell got one back in the top of the seventh, but it wouldn't be enough.
 
The Beacons were out-hit 9-8 in the game, getting two hits apiece from Richardson and Breanna Hilton.
 
Bushnell heads home from Arizona, only to hit the road again on Wednesday, traveling down to Redding, California to take on Simpson University (0-3) for a double-header, beginning at 12:00 pm.