EUGENE, Ore. – Senior Albert Jennings hit three home runs including the go-ahead score in game two, lifting the Beacons to an opening day split with Simpson University. The Red Hawks took the opener, 16-13 with Bushnell responding with a 7-6 victory in the night cap.
 
Head Coach Jamie Womack said, "Simpson was the more prepared team to start game one today. I am proud of the fight we showed to come back and get within striking distance, but we have to be sharper as a complete unit to start games. Albert Jennings had a monster day and Chase Marshall gave us everything and more to give us a chance in game two as we showed the ability to win a close one."
 
GAME ONE: Simpson 16, Bushnell 13
 
It was indeed a rough start to the season for the Beacons as they spotted Simpson a 12-0 lead fueled by a nine-run third inning.
 
Bushnell rallied, scoring in the final six innings and had brought the game to within 14-12 after in the seventh, but couldn't quite get over the hump for the win.
 
Jennings posted his first two homers of the season in game one, including a grand slam in the seventh, finishing the contest with six RBI, matching a career-high. Dylan Carson added three hits, including a pair of doubles and Chase Nye earned two hits in the loss.
 
Simpson collected 20 hits as a team including 11 that went for extra bases. Cayden Lee, Bo Valladao, and Duke Aloy earned three hits apiece.
 
Gage Hoyle (1-1) went five innings for the Red Hawks, allowing three runs on seven hits to grab the victory while Chandler Jones earned the save, striking out a pair of batters in the final inning. Starter Austin Wolfe (0-1) took the loss for the Beacons. Six different pitchers got on the hill for Bushnell with Matthew Estrada giving the best performance in his Beacon debut, giving up one hit and no runs in 1 1/3 innings.
 
GAME TWO: Bushnell 7, Simpson 6
 
Bushnell opened up a 6-0 lead in the night cap scoring three in the first, one in the second, and two in the third, only to see Simpson chip away with two runs apiece in the fourth, sixth, and seventh innings.
 
Jennings proved to be the hero in the bottom of the eighth with his 23rd career blast to give Bushnell the victory. Mason Millar finished the game hitting 3-for-5 with a double and an RBI while Max Richards earned three RBI in a 1-for-4 game.
 
Making his Bushnell debut, Chase Marshall (1-0) earned the victory for the Beacons, allowing just two hits over the final three innings. Loreto Siniscalchi started the game for the Beacons and gave up just two runs on three hits in the first 3 1/3, striking out five batters.
 
Brady Glenn (0-1) took the loss for Simpson despite a strong relief effort on Friday, striking out four batters in 4.1 innings with his only run allowed coming on the Jennings homer.
 
UP NEXT: The Beacons (1-1) will close out their four-game series with Simpson (1-5) on Saturday with another double-header, beginning at 11:00 am at Hamlin Sports Complex.