Leavenworth, Kan. – The University of Saint Mary Spires baseball team notched a significant home victory Tuesday afternoon, defeating the Bethany Swedes in a tightly contested 6-2 matchup. The win brings the Spires' overall record to 8-18 and their Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) standing to 6-11.
The game remained scoreless through the initial frames before Bethany managed to push two runs across in the top of the third inning. However, the Spires responded emphatically in the bottom of the fourth, showcasing their offensive capabilities.
With runners on base, sophomore catcher Preston Gibson delivered a clutch single to left field, driving in both senior outfielder Shawn Marquis and junior second baseman Eli Prine to tie the game. The momentum continued as freshman shortstop Maverick Rockers followed up with a single of his own, bringing Gibson home and giving the Spires a 3-2 lead.
The score remained unchanged until the bottom of the eighth inning when the Saint Mary offense found its rhythm once again. Junior third baseman Kruz Wahwahsuck singled to left field, allowing freshman outfielder Caleb McClellan to score and extending the Spires' advantage. Marquis then stepped up and delivered a key two-run single to center field, bringing in both Wahwahsuck and junior first baseman Bryce Turner, solidifying the Spires' 6-2 lead.
On the mound, sophomore pitcher N. Salgado earned the win for the Spires, pitching a solid five innings and allowing just two earned runs while striking out three. The bullpen then shut down the Swedes, with junior Ben Raschke pitching three scoreless innings and freshman John Berislavich closing out the ninth.
Offensively, the Spires tallied ten hits, with Marquis leading the charge with three hits and two RBIs. Gibson also had a strong day at the plate, recording two hits and two RBIs.
Up Next:
The Spires will look to carry this momentum into their next contest as they travel to Atchison, Kansas, to face Benedictine College tomorrow, Wednesday, March 26th, at 3:00 PM.
