LA GRANDE, Ore. – The Bushnell University baseball team opened Cascade Collegiate Conference play with a four-game sweep over Eastern Oregon University, winning Sunday's games at Optimist Field, 6-1 and 5-2.
 
In a lower scoring battle in comparison to Saturday's games, Bushnell (16-9, 4-0 CCC) still managed to record 10 hits in both contests, while holding Eastern Oregon (9-17, 0-4) to just three runs.
 
Devin Carter, who hit his first home run with the Beacons in the series finale, said, "After a gritty first two games, we came together in a complete team effort to sweep the series to start conference play. We have such a high ceiling, and we look to build on this momentum going into next weekend and continue the hunt."
 
Game 1: Bushnell 6, Eastern Oregon 1
 
Kai Keamo recorded another win on the mound in Sunday's opener, allowing just one run on four hits with seven strikeouts in the six-inning outing. Daniel Furman came in for the three-inning save, allowing one hit with no walks to close out the contest.
 
The Beacons plated all six of their runs in the first four innings, beginning with a pair in the top of the first. A well-placed sacrifice bunt by Ethan Stacy scored the first and Kyle Casperson made it a 2-0 lead with an RBI-single.
 
The Mountaineers scored their only run of the game in the bottom of the first and the Beacons answered with two more in the top of the second. Jordan Wilson sent a two-run homer over the left field fence to extend the lead to 4-1.
 
A Liam Kerr single scored a run in the third and a double by Wilson in the fourth brought in the final run for Bushnell.
 
Wilson, Isaiah Hart and Brendan Frazier recorded two hits apiece.
 
Game 2: Bushnell 5, Eastern Oregon 2
 
Taiga Yamane had a strong outing in the series finale, throwing a scoreless 4.1 innings with seven strikeouts. Austin Wolfe relieved Yamane in the fifth, allowing two runs on two hits in 1.2 innings of work. Garrett Vohs faced the minimum in the seventh and Ethan Paulson closed out the final two frames for the save.
 
Yamane said, "We brought a lot of energy into the game and we competed. We still have more hidden potential and we can achieve great things. I would like to improve step by step as a team and we are so excited for the next series."
 
A two-run home run from Mario Landeros in the sixth made up the scoring for Eastern. The Mounties were held to five hits on the game.
 
Bushnell got on the board in the third as Carter hit a solo shot over the left field fence, his first homer with the Beacons. Wilson brought in one more with a double to make it a 2-0 advantage.
 
EOU tied it up in the sixth before Bushnell scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch, bringing home pinch runner, Adam Sabatino. Cade Crist wrapped up the weekend with another late two-run homer, solidifying the 5-2 victory and the series sweep.
 
Up Next: Bushnell will take on Utah Valley University (March 22-23) in a three-game road series before returning to CCC action the following weekend. The Beacons host the College of Idaho on March 29-30.