Leavenworth, Kan.- The University of Saint Mary Softball team hosted the Park Pirates for a doubleheader on Saturday, resulting in a 9-1 win and a 3-1 loss. The Spires are now 11-10 overall, with conference play beginning on Tuesday.

Game One

A first-inning inside-the-park home run from Alexis McDaniel gave Saint Mary an early lead. The Spires added to that lead with two runs in the second, coming from a two-RBI triple from Natalie Bruce to give USM a 3-0 lead. An RBI Double from Pake made it a 3-1 ball game in the top of the third inning. Saint Mary posted two more runs in the bottom half of the third with an RBI double from Jessica Strandlund and an RBI ground out from Alexis Hughes to give the Spires a 5-1 lead. McDaniel broke the game wide open at the bottom of the fifth with her second grand slam in two weeks to make it a 9-1 ball game. Starting pitcher Desarae Chavez went all five innings, giving up one run on three hits with two strikes out to record her third win on the season.  

Game Two

Park had an answer for the Spires in game two, holding Saint Mary to just one run on three hits, silencing the bats after game one. Gianna Paape struck first for USM, driving in the lone run of the game on a double to left field. The Pirates capitalized on an error by the Spires to tie the game at one run apiece. Allie Cox started in the circle for game two; Cox went six and two-thirds innings and held the Pirates to three runs on six hits with four strikeouts. However, the Saint Mary offense could not produce another run, leaving six runners stranded on the base path. A two-run top of the sixth gave Park a decisive 3-1 lead and retired the Spires in order to win game two. 

Up Next

Saint Mary will open KCAC play against Oklahoma Wesleyan at 2 p.m. on Tuesday in Leavenworth, Kansas.