Eugene, Ore. | A cloud-filled, rainy day doomed any hopes that the Warner Pacific University Softball team (5-31, 3-21) had of rebounding in the Saturday doubleheader against the Bushnell University Beacons (12-26, 8-14), as two close contests gave the Beacons the four-game sweep over the Knights, with the final scores posting at 4-7 and 7-8.
 
Game 1
 
The Beacons continued their first inning success against Warner Pacific with a myriad of runs to begin their offense for the day, scoring over half of their runs for game one in the bottom of the first inning alone. Bushnell starting pitcher Sam Silver capitalized with two runners aboard to grant herself a 4-0 lead, thanks to a two-run single up the middle of the infield that doubled the lead for the Beacons.
 
Warner Pacific was able to answer in the top of the second, scoring their first run of the weekend on an infield single from freshman catcher Olivia Hutchins, which scored junior third baseman Carrigan Foster to make it a 1-4 contest .
 
Bushnell responded in the bottom of the second, scoring one unearned run on a single from rightfielder Anabel Mendez. WPU stopped more runs from crossing the plate on the same play, as sophomore leftfielder Sammie Brauckmiller cleanly fielded the single from Mendez and launched to home plate, allowing Hutchins to apply the tag and stop the Beacons in their tracks.
 
Once again, the Knights kicked up another attempt at a comeback bid the very next inning, scoring two runs on a base loaded walk from junior first baseman Emma Foster, and a single from Brauckmiller to plate Warner Pacific's third run of the day, and leaving the inning trailing just 3-5.
 
The bottom of the fifth inning proved to be crucial for the Beacons once again, as Bushnell tacked on two more runs to grow their lead to four entering the top of the sixth, 7-3, thanks to Mendez tripling to right centerfield, then scoring on the next at-bat.
 
The Knights competed down to the final out in the top of the seventh inning, as the game-tying run came to the plate with two runners on base and two outs, after scoring a run to make the deficit three runs. E. Foster climbed into the box representing the seventh run for WPU, and blasted the first pitch she saw deep to right centerfield. Unfortunately for the Knights' fans in attendance, the ball was just barely caught by the outstretched arms of Beacons' centerfielder Alyssa Ferreira, thus ending the game and halting Warner Pacific's comeback attempt.
 
Knights' starting pitcher Abby Carlson (3-16) was charged with the loss after allowing five runs off six hits in 2.0 innings of work. Brauckmiller came in to relieve Carlson for 4.0 innings, allowing two runs on four hits and striking out one Beacon.
 
Senior centerfielder Paityn Willoughby couldn't be stopped at the plate in game one, swinging a perfect 4-for-4 and scoring two runs in the process. C. Foster also had a great appearance offensively, collecting three hits, one run scored and an RBI.
 
Silver (6-10) earned her second win of the weekend after allowing four runs on 11 hits, while striking out and walking a pair of Knights.
 
Mendez came through in the clutch for the Beacons by swinging when it mattered most, as her two hits led to two RBIs and two runs scored. Silver's single in the top of the first secured two more RBIs for the right-handed pitcher.
 
Game 2
 
Early game scoring has been a difficulty for Warner Pacific to manage over the weekend, but the Knights managed to finally breakthrough in the top of the first inning of game two today, scoring two runs on a batted ball from Brauckmiller that allowed a run to score, followed by a delayed steal that cause Brauckmiller to be out on the play, but allowed Willoughby to sneak home from third base for a 2-0 Knights lead.
 
The Beacons were able to take the lead back in the bottom of the second inning, as a single from designated player Bryana Yoshida and a triple from first baseman Krystal Akagi each plated two runs, and thus flipping the switch to a 4-2 Bushnell lead.
 
Back-and-forth the Knights and Beacons went, as Warner Pacific's C. Foster came through with two runners aboard in the top of the third inning, blasting a pitch into deep right centerfield and over the head of Ferreira, which tied this contest back up at four runs apiece.
 
The bottom of the fourth inning spelled disaster for the Knights, but WPU was able to leave the inning fairly unscathed. After Brauckmiller allowed one run to score and break the tie, C. Foster came in on relief to walk the bases loaded with no outs. What seemed like a sure scoring opportunity for the Beacons resulted in a no-show from the next three batters, as C. Foster induced back-to-back strikeouts, followed by a groundball out to third base to leave the bases loaded, and have the Knights looking to take the lead back in the top of the fourth.
 
And more runs is exactly what the Knights found in the top of the fourth inning, as a clutch single from Willoughby with the bases loaded allowed two runs to score, and once again Warner Pacific jumped back out in front of Bushnell, with the score now at 6-5, Knights.
 
Rain had been a constant issue for the Knights and Beacons at Rich Schwab Field today, as a heavy downpour lead to the third rain delay of the afternoon between the top and bottom halves of the fourth inning, this one lasting just over 15 minutes.
 
Following the delay, Bushnell picked up right where they left off, as double followed by a single from Mendez plated the twelfth run of game two, and the sixth for the Beacons to once again knot this one up at 6-6.
 
Ironic enough, the Knights and Beacons would go scoreless until the top of the sixth inning after the third tie of the contest, when Warner Pacific's C. Foster grounded into a fielder's choice with the bases loaded, allowing a run to score and the Knights to take a narrow 7-6 lead.
 
Like clockwork, Bushnell resumed their own lead with a double, single, and triple to score two runs, and giving the home team an 8-7 advantage, needing just three outs to complete the sweep of WPU.
 
A one-two-three inning in the top of the seventh inning from the Warner Pacific hitters gave Bushnell the four-game series sweep, with the non-conference ending 8-7 in favor of the Beacons.
 
Brauckmiller earned the no decision after pitching 2.0 innings in a starting role, allowing five runs on six hits, while striking out one batter and walking another. C. Foster (1-4) took the loss due to allowing three runs on seven hits, managing to strike out four Bushnell hitters and allowing just one walk.
 
Willoughby and C. Foster once again led the Knights' offense in game two, as Willoughby kept her perfect batting streak alive with two hits, two runs scored, two RBIs, and two runs in all four of her at-bats, while C. Foster earned three RBIs with one hit. Sophomore shortstop Faith Vadelund collected two hits, two walks and three runs scored on four at-bats for Warner Pacific as well.
 
Bushnell starting pitcher Aliyah Kelly (5-12) earned the win after reentering the game in the top of the sixth inning, then completing the game in the seventh. She allowed two runs on one hit, striking out four and walking one. Allowing free passes to batters was an incredibly difficult problem for the Beacons bullpen, as relief pitchers Leslie Reynaga and Breanna Hilton gave up 10 combined walks to the WPU lineup. Reynaga went 3.0 innings with four runs allowed on three hits, striking out two Knights in the process, and Hilton didn't manage to earn an out after allowing one run on run hit.
 
Mendez continued to dominate at the plate for the Beacons, going 3-for-3 in game two with two runs scored and two RBIs, while Akagi collected two RBIs on one hit.
 
Warner Pacific Softball will return to Erv Lind Stadium for the team's final home stand of the season, as they play host to the Argos from the University of Providence next Friday and Saturday, with the day one doubleheader slated for 1pm and 3pm PDT.