North Newton, Kan.—
 
Game One:

A four-run rally in the bottom of the seventh inning spoiled a strong afternoon for USM softball, as the Spires fell 5-4 to Bethel (Kan.) in a back and forth match up in game one on Saturday at Wedel Field in North Newton, Kansas.

Saint Mary controlled the game for more than six innings, breaking a scoreless deadlock with a run in the top of the fifth before adding two more in the sixth to build a 3-0 cushion. The Spires tacked on what appeared to be a key insurance run in the top of the seventh to push the lead to 4-1, putting them three outs away from a road victory. The Threshers would unfortunately answer in their final at-bat, stringing together hit after hit as part of a four-run frame to walk off with the one-run win.

The Spires' offense steadily found its rhythm after four quiet innings, finishing with nine hits and putting pressure on the Threshers throughout the middle and late frames. USM broke through in the fifth when the lineup converted its first scoring opportunity to take a 1-0 lead. In the sixth, the Spires capitalized again, pushing two more runs across to make it 3-0 and seizing full momentum. USM continued to produce in the seventh, manufacturing another run for a 4-1 advantage while forcing Bethel into three errors over the course of the game and stranding eight runners on base.

Brianna Camarena paced the Saint Mary attack with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate and drove in a run as the Spires built their lead. Desarae Chavez added a hit and a team-high two RBIs, helping fuel the middle-inning surge that put her Spire squad in front. USM also showed aggressiveness on the bases with two stolen bags, although Bethel cut down one would-be steal from Audrey Spellman to limit further damage.

In the circle, starter Grace Rose turned in a workhorse outing and kept BC scoreless through the first five innings. Rose went 6 2/3 innings, allowing 11 hits and five runs, only three of which were earned, while striking out five on 103 pitches. She navigated traffic throughout the afternoon and exited with the tying and go-ahead runs coming across in the seventh, ultimately taking a hard-luck loss as Saint Mary's four defensive errors extended multiple Bethel innings.

Game Two:

Game two would feature an aggressive Spires squad and see a four-run fourth inning going in their favor this time, shifting the momentum and helping the Spires roll past the Threshers11-5 to split the series.

Trailing 4-1 after three innings, USM broke the game open in the top of the fourth, using big swings and capitalizing on Bethel miscues to surge in front for good. The Spires added three runs in both the fifth and sixth innings to pull away, finishing with runs in four straight frames while limiting the Threshers to a single run over the final four innings.

Desarae Chavez earned the win in the circle, working 4.0 innings and allowing five hits and four runs, only two of them earned, with two walks and two strikeouts. USM's staff collectively held Bethel to five runs—three earned—on nine hits, issuing just two walks. Chavez also helped her cause at the plate, driving in two runs as part of a deep offensive effort that saw five different Spires register at least one RBI.

At the top of the order, Analesa Gonzalez set the tone for the Saint Mary offense, going 3-for-4 with three runs scored, two RBI and two doubles. Nora Burrell matched the three-hit effort, finishing 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI, and was involved in the early push when she singled in the first and later doubled in the third as Brianna Camarena came around to score the Spires' first run. Camarena added a 3-for-4 day of her own with one RBI, giving USM a trio of three-hit performers.

After Bethel used a two-run second and a two-run third to build a 4-1 advantage, the Spire lineup responded in the fourth and fifth, combining patience at the plate with aggressive base running. USM finished with four doubles among their 14 hits, drew four walks, were hit by a pitch once and stole two bases, repeatedly pressuring the Threshers' defense, which committed three errors. Kate Robinette added a key contribution with two RBI and a hit while also reaching via hit-by-pitch to keep innings alive and in her team's favor.

Bethel starter Figueroa absorbed the loss after 3.1 innings, allowing four hits and five runs—four earned—with three walks and one strikeout before turning the ball over to the bullpen. Although the Threshers collected nine hits, including four doubles, Saint Mary's defense limited the damage and stranded seven Thresher base runners to protect the lead once the Spires firmly moved in front.

The 11-run, 14-hit outing highlighted the USM depth in the order and ability to answer early adversity on the road. With multiple players delivering multi-hit games and the pitching staff settling in after the third inning, the Spires built a complete performance to close out the victory and split the series with Bethel.

The Spires will head back home for their series against the (RV) Avila University squad this Tuesday, March 24^th with game one slated for 2:00 p.m. at the USM Softball Field. Your Spire softball team currently holds a 11-13 record overall, 4-4 in KCAC play and sit in seventh place in the KCAC standings.