EUGENE, Ore – The Bushnell softball team picked up their first NAIA Top-25 victory of the season on Friday afternoon, handing No. 13 Eastern Oregon University their first shutout loss of the season, splitting a Cascade Collegiate Conference double-header.
 
Senior Emily Cole (pictured) threw the complete-game shutout, allowing the Mounties just four singles as Bushnell bounced back quickly from their first run-rule loss in CCC play this season.
 
GAME ONE: Eastern Oregon 10, Bushnell 0 (5 Innings)
 
The Mounties made a statement in the second inning of game one, scoring nine runs in the frame, bookended by a pair of two-run doubles from Madison Olson. EOU benefitted from an early error during their eight-hit inning, scoring four unearned runs in the frame.
 
Kylie Parsons (11-0) returned to action for the Mounties and made an impressive start, throwing a complete-game three-hit shutout as she struck out 11 Beacon hitters.
 
Sara Martin (6-8) took the loss for the Beacons after her struggles in the second inning. Cole came in to steady the ship, pitching the final 3.1 innings and allowing one run.
 
GAME TWO: Bushnell 3, Eastern Oregon 0
 
Cole (6-12) pitched a gem for the Beacons as they picked up the upset win, giving up just four hits, all singles, and walking just one batter.
 
Bushnell scored what would amount to the winning run in the bottom of the first inning on an RBI double from Violet Richardson, the CCC leader for extra-base hits. Maddy Fullenwider added an RBI single in the second inning that made it 2-0, and Ashlyn Martin scored on an error for a fourth-inning insurance run.
 
Five different batters got a hit for the Beacons while Brenna Wilson added a stolen base.
 
Up Next: Bushnell (12-26, 7-16 CCC) will play their final home games of the season on Saturday, taking on EOU (24-7, 19-4) for another pair of games beginning at 11:00 am. The Beacons will honor seniors Emma Fournier, Taylor Kenworthy, and Emily Cole in a ceremony between games.