GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The Bushnell softball playoff hopes are very much still alive after taking down the University of Providence on the road twice on Saturday, ending a ten-game losing streak that happened to come against two of the top teams in the nation.  
 
The Beacons (8-22, 3-14 CCC) collected 16 hits on the day and got stellar pitching performances from Sara Martin and Emily Cole as they pulled into a tie with the Argos (6-19, 3-14) for eighth-place in the Cascade Conference. While they still have plenty of work to do, the Beacons remain in striking distance of sixth-place as the CCC sends six teams to the post-season tournament.  
 
GAME ONE: Bushnell 9, Providence 1 (5 Innings)
 
The Beacons picked up their third run-rule victory of the season in the opener, scoring two in the second, three in the fourth and four in the fifth to put the Argos away.
 
Sara Martin, Gracie Hamilton, and Brenna Wilson all hit successive doubles in the second to give Bushnell all the offense they would need, but not all the offense they would get. Ashlyn Martin added three in the fourth inning on a three-run home run, her second of the season.
 
The Beacons made it 9-0 in the top of the fifth that included two errors, along with an RBI double from Riley Peeler and a one-run single from Ashlyn Martin, giving her four RBI in the game.  
 
The offense backed up Sara Martin (5-7) who struck out three batters in the complete game five-hit effort, scattering all singles to Providence.
 
GAME TWO: Bushnell 8, Providence 1
 
The night cap was over early as the Beacons pounded out five runs on three hits in the top of the first inning. Maddy Fullenwider provided a two-run double and later scored on an RBI double from Shyla Mead, setting the tone for another Beacon blow out.
 
Mead posted her second RBI double in the third inning, giving Bushnell a 6-1 lead. Violet Richardson added her conference-leading sixth home run of the season in the seventh.
 
Emily Cole (3-11) was the benefactor of the early lead and she took advantage in the circle, throwing a complete game as she struck out seven batters and scattered six hits.
 
UP NEXT: Bushnell and Providence close out the series on Sunday with the third CCC game at 10:00 am (PST), followed by the non-conference fourth game.