Hillsboro, Kan.—A four-run sixth inning proved decisive as the University of Saint Mary fell 7-2 to Tabor in game one on Friday afternoon in Hillsboro, spoiling a steady offensive effort from the Spires that left 10 runners on base.

The Spires trailed 2-1 heading into the bottom of the sixth before Tabor broke the game open. A two-run double by Overbey pushed the Bluejays' lead to 4-1, and Zepeda followed later in the inning with a two-run home run to left to make it 6-1. The Spires added a run in the seventh but could not climb back from the five-run deficit.

The Spires had opportunities throughout the game, drawing seven walks and collecting five hits but stranding 10 base runners. Saint Mary's first run came in the top of the fifth, when Brady Heinen scored on an error after Sergio Fierro reached on a misplay by the Tabor shortstop, cutting the deficit to 2-1 at the time. In the seventh, the Spires manufactured another run as Bryce Turner delivered an RBI single to center field, bringing home Saul Vazquez-Alvarado and trimming the margin to 6-2.

Offensively in the first game, Keylan Overton led the way for Saint Mary with a double accounting for the Spires' lone extra-base hit of the afternoon. Turner's RBI single highlighted the late push, while the lineup showed patience at the plate with seven walks drawn and one stolen base, consistently putting pressure on the Tabor pitching staff despite limited scoring.

On the mound, Hayden Roop was tagged with the loss for USM after navigating a Tabor lineup that produced eight hits, including three home runs and two doubles. Roop and the Spires' defense battled early after solo home runs by Wise in the second and Calder in the fourth put Tabor ahead 2-0. Saint Mary committed two errors behind the staff, but also worked out of several jams to keep the game within reach until the pivotal sixth inning.

Tabor starter Bauer earned the win, working six innings and allowing two runs on four hits. Saint Mary forced Bauer to throw stressful pitches, drawing six walks against him, but the right-hander recorded four strikeouts and limited the damage when runners reached base. Tabor added an insurance run in the seventh when Zepeda drew a bases-loaded walk to force in Schieffer and set the final margin at 7-2.

In game two of the afternoon, USM saw a three-run lead disappear in one inning, as Tabor scored four in the bottom of the fifth to hand the Spires a 4-3 loss.

Saint Mary controlled the game early behind timely hitting and clean defense, building a 3-0 advantage through three innings. The Spires struck first in the top of the first when Tannen Buss doubled to center to drive in Collin Pitzer for the game's opening run. Moments later, John Caime added to the fast start with an RBI ground out to short that plated Sergio Fierro and made it 2-0.

The Spires added what appeared to be an important insurance run in the third. With Maverick Rockers aboard, Pitzer put the ball in play and reached on an error by Tabor third baseman Claassen, allowing Rockers to score an unearned run and extend the lead to 3-0. USM backed that cushion with steady pitching and error-free defense, keeping Tabor off the board through the first four innings.

The game turned in the bottom of the fifth. After Tabor broke through with a base runner, Norris delivered a two-run home run that quickly cut the Spire lead to 3-2. Later in the frame, Overbey came through with a two-run single, driving in Calder and Mack to give Tabor its first lead at 4-3. All four runs in the inning proved critical, as Tabor's offense was held in check the rest of the way.

Offensively, the Spires finished with five hits and had at least one base runner in multiple innings, aided by three hit batters and a walk, but stranded five runners on base. Buss led the early charge with his run-scoring double, and USM capitalized on a Tabor miscue to manufacture its third run. On the mound, Spires pitchers worked six innings, scattering nine hits while striking out four and limiting Tabor to four earned runs in the comeback frame.

Tabor starter McGuire ultimately out dueled Saint Mary's staff, going the distance in a complete-game effort. McGuire allowed three runs, only two of them earned, on five hits with one walk and seven strikeouts over seven innings and 93 pitches to secure the win. The Spire lineup challenged McGuire early but was held scoreless over the final four frames.

With impending weather on Saturday, the final game of this opening KCAC series will be played on Sunday, February 15^th on Bluejay Field in Hillsboro, Kansas with first pitch set for 1:00 p.m.