EUGENE, Ore. – The Bushnell baseball team improved to 3-1 on Saturday, sweeping a double-header from Simpson University as they scored 24 runs on 24 hits and relied on a strong pitching performance across the board.
 
Head Coach Jamie Womack said, "I am really proud of the showing today. We continued to show our depth and I am very proud of multiple guys that were prepared to make an impact when their number was called. Now we need to rest and recover as we will be traveling south next weekend for a big series."
 
GAME ONE: Bushnell 13, Simpson 4
 
The Beacons scored in bunches in the morning sessions, posting three in the first, six in the fourth, and four in the eighth to take care of business. Not only did the team combine for 13 hits including six that went for extra bases, three Beacon arms combined to allow just one earned run on four hits while striking out nine.
 
Chase Nye (pictured) got things going in the bottom of the first with an RBI single, followed by a two-run single from Josh Miyazawa as the Beacons were off to the races. It was the first of four hits for Nye in the game, who added a three-run bomb in the eighth and ended the contest with five RBI.
 
"This weekend was just the beginning for a group of guys that have been working hard," said Nye. "It was a good way to respond after some adversity to start the series as we grinded out three wins."
 
Nate Stevens also homered during the six-run fourth inning. He, along with Max Richards and Nigel Fahland secured two hits apiece while Caleb Richter earned Bushnell's first triple of the season.
 
Jacob Courtney got the start for the Beacons and went four innings, striking out six batters and allowing just one earned run. DJ Kauahi (1-0) went the next four without allowing an earned run and Jahshua Yacapin closed out the game with a scoreless ninth.
 
GAME TWO: Bushnell 11, Simpson 4
 
Mason Millar had three hits including a pair of doubles while Chase Nye and Nate Stevens each had their second home runs of the day as the Beacons claimed another win in the afternoon affair. Bushnell totaled 11 hits in the game with six going for extra bases.
 
The contest was tied 2-2 heading into the bottom of the fourth when the Beacons took the lead for good on an Eli Pupo RBI double, followed by a Fahland double, and Stevens' home run, taking a 6-2 advantage that they wouldn't give up.
 
Kai Keamo got the start for the Beacons, going four innings with four strikeouts, allowing two earned runs on two hits. Dylan Ha (1-0) came on in relief in the fifth, going three innings with just one unearned blemish. In total, five pitchers combined for ten strikeouts in the win.
 
UP NEXT: The Beacons (3-1) hit the road next weekend for Santa Clarita, California as they are scheduled to take on NAIA foe The Master's University (2-4) in a four-game set. The Mustangs were 13-games over .500 a year ago.