Leavenworth, Kan.—The Spires erupted for four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, erasing a three-run deficit and coming out on top against the Avila University Eagles 4-3 in favor of the good guys on Wednesday afternoon in a KCAC midweek single game.

Held scoreless on one hit through seven innings, the Spires trailed 3-0 after Avila's Dylan Atherton launched a three-run home run in the top of the eighth. USM immediately answered in the bottom half, stringing together extra-base hits and timely run production to seize its first and only lead of the game, then closed out the ninth to secure the comeback win.

The turning point began when Bryce Turner opened the bottom of the eighth with a double to right-center, giving the Spires their first real scoring threat since early innings. After Turner advanced, Sergio Fierro lifted a sacrifice fly to bring him home and cut the deficit to 3-1. Catcher Tannen Buss kept the rally moving with a double, putting another runner in scoring position and keeping pressure on the Avila bullpen.

The Spires turned to pinch-hitter Collin Pitzer in the next key spot in the eighth, and he delivered the biggest swing of the day. Pitzer lined a two-run single that brought in both runners and tied the game at 3-3. With momentum squarely shifted in USM's favor, Maverick Rockers followed with a go-ahead RBI single, scoring Pitzer and giving the Spires a 4-3 advantage that would hold up as the final margin. Rockers finished with two hits and an RBI, while Pitzer made his lone plate appearance count with two runs driven in for his team.

For much of the afternoon, Avila starter Antonio Villalobos IV controlled the game. The right-hander tossed six scoreless innings, allowing just one hit while striking out seven and working around four walks on 95 pitches. Avila's offense finally supported him in the eighth, when Atherton connected for his three-run shot with the bases loaded, finishing 1-for-3 with a walk and three RBIs. Tommy English added two hits, including a double, and reached base four times for the Eagles.

Saint Mary's pitching staff, however, limited the damage to that single big inning and otherwise kept Avila off the board despite nine hits and five walks. Spires hurlers scattered Avila's base runners, recording four strikeouts and avoiding errors defensively to stay within striking distance until the late offensive surge. USM finished with six hits and six walks, leaving eight runners on base but capitalizing when it mattered most. Senior righty Gabriel Olguin would earn the win for the USM bullpen and Jacob Rehkow would be awarded the save. 

Spire baseball will have a busy weekend hosting the William Woods University Owls of the Heart of America Conference with a double header on Saturday, March 7^th with first pitch set for noon and again on Sunday, March 8^th with games commencing at noon and 3:00 p.m. in Leavenworth. Your Spire baseball team is currently 2-9 in KCAC play.