The Saint Mary baseball team opened the 2017 season with a pair of double headers. On Friday, the Spires were swept by #7 Science and Arts of Oklahoma by scores of 9-1 and 11-5. #3 Bellevue topped the Spires 16-8 and 21-1.

In game one on Friday, Saint Mary trailed just 3-1 entering the fifth as Mike Amado tossed a complete game. Science and Arts would get to Amado for three more runs in the fifth and sixth innings to push the game out of reach. Shun Tsunoda, Juan Gallardo, and Paul Bourgeois each had a hit for Saint Mary in the 9-1 loss.

Alex Knight would take the loss in game two as Science and Arts knocked him from the game in the third inning. The Spires were scoreless until scoring five runs in the seventh inning. Andrew Berry connected for a one out grand slam, his first homer of the season. Tsunoda and Berry each had two hits.

The third game saw Bellevue score 16 runs. Saint Mary would lead 2-0 after the top of the first, but could not keep Bellevue off the board the rest of the way. Zack Novis took the loss on the mound. Sam Miller and Gallardo each had two hits. Saint Mary scored eight runs on nine hits in the game. The Spires tallied six runs in the seventh inning. Nick Benavidez and Guillermo Loera each had two RBI.

Saint Mary would be outmatched in the finale. Bellevue posted 21 runs on 19 hits. Ryan Bracamontes was charged with the loss. Six pitchers would throw in the game for the Spires. Andrew Berry connected for his second home run of the season in the fourth inning for the Spires' only run.

Saint Mary will return to action this weekend. The Spires play four games against four different opponents in the Joplin Invitational this weekend. Saint Mary opens the weekend with a 4pm game on Saturday against Grand View.