SALEM, Ore. – The Bushnell softball team kicked off the 2025 season on Saturday, splitting a double-header on the road at Willamette University. The Bearcats took the opener, 2-1 before Bushnell claimed a strong 7-4 victory in game two.
 
GAME ONE: Willamette 2, Bushnell 1
 
The Beacons found themselves in familiar territory in the opener, dropping a one-run loss to Willamette as they came out on the wrong side of a pitching duel. Emily Cole (0-1) went the distance for the Beacons and gave up just one earned run on three hits, fanning six batters.
 
The Bushnell offense only had three hits of their own, including a double by Brenna Wilson, while striking out 12 times. The Beacon run came in the fourth, tying the game at 1-1 on an error.
 
GAME TWO: Bushnell 7, Willamette 4
 
After a rain delay that lasted over an hour, the Beacons bats were able to heat up in the night cap, scoring seven runs on nine hits with three extra-base hits.
 
After a three-run first inning, the Beacons added a three-run second and tacked on an insurance run for good measure in the third to go ahead 7-1.
 
Sara Martin (1-0) struck out two batters but had some strong defense behind her as she gave up just two runs on eight hits to pick up her first win as a Beacon. She really settled down after giving up a run on three hits in the first inning,
 
Violet Richardson went 3-for-3 for the Beacons with a pair of doubles and two RBI. Ashlyn Martin and Riley Peeler (pictured) added a pair of hits each with Martin collecting three RBI.
 
UP NEXT:
 
The Beacons hit the road for Arizona next week, starting their six-game trek with a double-header at Nelson University on Thursday at 12:00 pm.