Newton, Kan.- The University of Saint Mary Softball team traveled to take on Bethel College for a weekend doubleheader on Saturday, resulting in a 14-2 win and a 5-2 loss. The Spires are now 21-17 overall and 10-6 in conference play. 

Game One

After giving up two runs in the bottom of the second and fourth innings, the Spires were down 2-0 heading into the fifth. Gianna Paape started a rally with an RBI double to center field, and Jessica Strandlund followed with an RBI single to right field. Ava Vander Weit was able to advance home and give USM a 3-2 lead after Strandlund's double due to a throwing error by the Bethel right fielder. Grace Rose finished the inning with an RBI groundout to the second baseman to take a two-run lead. The Spires continued to score at will, with another RBI from Paape and a two-RBI double from Audrey Spellman, making it a 7-2 ballgame. Spellman also took advantage of a wild pitch to give the Spires a six-run lead. Saint Mary broke the game wide open in the seventh, scoring seven runs to make the final 14-2. 

Game Two

An early three-run home run in the second inning for Bethel gave them a 3-0 lead. In the top of the fourth, Spellman was able to draw a walk with the bases loaded, driving in a run. However, another home run from the Threshers in the bottom half of the fourth put Saint Mary down by three runs again. An RBI double for the Threshers in the next inning made it a 5-2 game with time running out for the Spires. Alexis McDaniel scored on a wild pitch in the seventh inning, but that was the final run scored for USM, and they fell 502 in the second game. 

Up Next

Saint Mary will host Southwestern College for a mid-week doubleheader starting at 2 p.m. on Tuesday in Leavenworth, Kansas.