Leavenworth, Kan.—
Game One:
The Spires were unable to recover from a scoring outburst in the first inning by MidAmerica Nazarene in an 8-1 loss this afternoon at the University of Saint Mary Softball Complex in Leavenworth, Kansas.
The Pioneers built the opening frame with consistent contact before Hobbs delivered the biggest swing. Danica Hobbs opened the scoring sequence with a single, Manwarren added a double and Nicas also contributed a single as MNU piled up offense early. By the end of the frame, USM found themselves in a 7-0 hole.
MNU added its final run in the third. Imel tripled to left-center and later scored when Paprocki reached on an error by the Spires shortstop, pushing the lead to 8-0. Imel finished with two hits, including the triple, one RBI and two runs scored. Nicas added two hits, two RBIs, a walk and a run, while Manwarren also collected two hits.
The Spires cut their drought in the fifth inning when
Nora Burrell came home on a wild pitch for the team's only run. USM drew three walks in the game, but MNU pitcher Brown controlled the circle throughout for the Pioneers. Brown threw a complete game, allowing one run on one hit over seven innings while striking out 14 on 124 pitches.
Game Two:
The Spires nearly erased a five-run extra-inning deficit in game two, but the Pioneers held on for a 9-8 victory at the USM Softball Complex after the final blow came from Simmons in the eighth inning. Simmons lined a three-run double down the right-field line during a five-run top of the inning, giving the MNU the cushion they needed to survive the Spires' late rally.
Saint Mary had carried a 4-3 lead into the seventh before MidAmerica pulled even at 4-4 on Simmons' RBI single to right that scored Hobbs. Simmons' bases-clearing double was the biggest blow in that frame and helped cap a turnaround after MidAmerica Naz had been held scoreless through four innings. Hobbs finished 3 for 5 with three runs scored, while Simmons went 3 for 4 with five RBIs. Manwarren also delivered a key extra-base hit, a two-run triple down the left-field line in the fifth that sparked the Pioneers first surge.
The Spires did plenty offensively to stay in position throughout game two. USM scored once in the second, added another in the third and pushed across two more in the fourth to build the early lead.
Raegan McConnell turned in the top offensive performance for Saint Mary, finishing with three hits and three RBIs. She homered and doubled twice, including a two-run double in the bottom of the eighth that helped bring the Spires back within striking distance and keep their confidence alive.
The Spires kept pressing after trailing 9-4 entering their final at-bat. USM scored four times in the bottom of the eighth, refusing to go away easily, and three of those runs were unearned after
Nora Burrell reached on a misplay by MidAmerica center fielder. That sequence cut the margin to one and gave the Spires a chance to complete the comeback, but the rally stopped just short.
Both teams finished with 12 hits in the extra inning affair, but the Pioneers made the most of its extra-base chances with two triples and a late double. USM also showed patience at the plate, drawing seven walks and adding two hit batters, though the Spires stranded 11 runners. MidAmerica left eight on base. The difference was the late damage, first with the tying run in the seventh and then Simmons' eighth-inning double that turned a tight game into a frantic final comeback attempt.
The Spires will be right back at it in two days, this time hitting the road to Hillsboro, Kansas to resume KCAC action with a double header against the Tabor College Bluejays. Game one will commence at 1:00 p.m. with game two shortly to follow.
