Leavenworth, KS- The University of Saint Mary Softball team won in dramatic fashion with a walk-off home run to sweep Southwestern College Tuesday.

Game 1

The game started quickly for Saint Mary when they put up four runs in the bottom of the first, which was highlighted by an Autumn Giodano two-run home run to left field. Starting pitcher Maria Howard got off on the right foot for the Spires as well, by throwing four innings and striking out five. In the bottom half of the fourth, Saint Mary would score two more runs on a Howard double and a one-out grounder to short by Victoria Gutierrez to go up 6-0. The Moundbuilders would get one run of their own in the fifth, but pitchers Allie Cox and Madison Tavera came in for the next three innings to help finish off Southwestern. Saint Mary would capitalize on a late error by Southwestern to make the score 7-1 in the sixth. The Spires were led on offense by Giodano, who went two for three with two RBIs and a home run.

Game 2

In game two, the pitching dominated both teams with the starters going all seven innings. Maria Howard was again the starter for the Spires and was a big key to their second victory of the day. Howard went the distance, throwing a complete game shut-out with seven strike-outs for Saint Mary. The Spire's bats were silenced for most of the second game, with only four hits leading into the final inning. Then in the bottom of the seventh, Hazel Faz put the game away for the Spires by launching a solo home run over the left-field fence. Faz also led the Spires in offense by going one for three with the game-winning run and RBI.

Up Next

The Spires' next match-up is a doubleheader against Tabor College at 3 p.m. Saturday in Hillsboro, Kansas.