EUGENE, Ore.  – On March 29, the Bushnell softball team accomplished something for just the second time in their 25-year history, knocking off an NAIA Top-Ten ranked team as they defeated the defending national champion Southern Oregon, 4-3.
 
The No. 10-ranked Raiders match the highest ranked opponent Bushnell has ever defeated as the Beacons picked up their first NAIA Top-25 win since 2019. The victory also ended a 17-game losing streak as well as a 29-game losing streak to the Raiders. It was the first home loss for SOU this season.
 
Emily Cole threw a complete game for the Beacons to pick up the victory, striking out three batters and allowing two earned runs on six hits. The Raiders had made things interesting, scoring two runs in the sixth inning with just one out, but Cole (pictured) retired the final five batters she faced for the huge victory.
 
Bushnell scored their four runs, all in the third inning, on just two hits. Ericka Allen posted a two-run double while two more runs came home on an error, after a hard-hit ball by Mandy Fetters.
 

Top-Ten Stories of 2023-2024

#10 - Will, Stout Join Bushnell Coaching Staff
#9 - Softball Knocks Off No. 10 Southern Oregon
#8 - Beacons Display Prowess in the Classroom
#7 - Women's Soccer Qualifies for Postseason
#6 - Women's Basketball Upsets No. 7 Lewis-Clark State
#5 - Beacons Serve as Champion of Character
#4 - Bushnell and GCF Launch Beach Volleyball Facility
#3 - Track & Field Sends Three to NAIA Championships
#2 - A Record-Breaking Year
#1 - Baseball Wins CCC Tournament