EUGENE, Ore. – With a pitching staff combining for 22 strikeouts and allowing just six hits, the Bushnell baseball team earned an impressive sweep over Saint Martin's University on Friday afternoon, taking 9-1 and 12-1 victories.
Head Coach Jamie Womack said, "Our pitching and defense were awesome today. Austin Wolfe came prepared and dominated. Dylan Ha came prepared to enter a game early and shut down an offense. It was awesome to see Hunter Schwenk, Tristan Mallari and Elijah Breault have great outings as well. Our bats came into the weekend with a good game plan and were able to put up runs. I am really proud of the effort all around today."
GAME ONE: Bushnell 9, Saint Martin's 1
Junior Austin Wolfe (2-1) had a lights-out performance for the Beacons in the opener, setting the tone as he struck out nine batters through seven innings of shutout ball. He didn't allow a hit until the seventh, and faced just three batters over the minimum.
"I am super blessed to be a part of a group like this," said Wolfe. "These guys give me the confidence and energy to go out there and do what I need to do to help the team win,"
The Bushnell offense was methodical, playing small ball and hitting station-to-station as they collected 14 hits with just one that went for extra bases. Nate Stevens, Albert Jennings, Caleb Richter, and Jaden Thomson posted two hits apiece, but the biggest damage came in a four-run seventh inning that included a bases loaded hit by pitch to Danny Womack and a bases loaded walk to Nigel Fahland, along with an RBI double from Stevens.
GAME TWO: Bushnell 12, Saint Martin's 1 (7 Innings)
The Beacons pulled out their first run-rule win of the season in the night cap after scoring five runs in the sixth inning. The team collected 11 hits and had three that went for extra bases as Max Richards connected with a bases-clearing pinch-hit triple in that final offensive stanza.
Chase Nye ended his game hitting 3-for-4, including a pair of RBI bunt singles. Dylan Carson posted two hits as did Josh Miyazawa, who punched a two-run double in the sixth inning.
After Loreto Siniscalchi struggled a bit in the first inning, Dylan Ha (2-0) was called upon for early relief duty, taking over in the second inning. He would steady the ship for the Beacons with four solid innings, striking out four batters and giving up just two hits.
"These were a pair of complete team wins," said Ha. "It is always a great feeling to contribute and nothing is better than seeing a dominant day of baseball from across the roster."
Hunter Schwenk and Tristan Mallari threw the final two innings and each struck out a pair without allowing a hit.
UP NEXT: The Beacons (7-3) will face Saint Martin's (2-7) for another double-header on Saturday with the first pitch scheduled for 11:00 am.