Leavenworth, Kan.—

Game One:

The Spires were locked in a scoreless game through four innings before Evangel (Mo.) broke through with two runs in the top of the fifth and went on to a 2-0 game one win at the USM softball complex on this gusty afternoon in Leavenworth.

The blow came in a back-and-forth battle that featured little separation otherwise. After the Valor managed just one hit through the first three innings, the visitors used baserunning pressure in the fifth to create the opening. Runners advanced on stolen bases and a fielder's choice before Mayfield reached on an error by the Spire's second base, a play that brought home both runs for the only scoring of the afternoon.

USM starter Grace Rose matched Evangel's pitching for much of the day and finished with a strong line despite the loss. Rose worked all seven innings, allowed four hits, struck out eight and walked one. The Spires kept Evangel off the board in the first four innings and gave themselves a chance against the #13 ranked EU Valor squad in a low-scoring contest, but the fifth-inning miscue proved deadly to the Spire comeback.

Evangel starter Meierer was just as sharp, throwing a complete-game shutout, allowing three hits with no walks and eight strikeouts over seven innings.

Offensively, the Spires were limited to three hits in 25 at-bats and did not draw a walk. Evangel finished with four hits, one walk and three stolen bases. Mayfield delivered the game's only RBIs, while Carlton added a hit, a walk and a stolen base for Evangel.

Game Two:

The final game of the series ended in a way that every softball player dreams of, with a walk-off double from starting pitcher, Desarae Chavez in the bottom of the seventh inning at home. Chavez led her team in the circle and at the plat, helping her squad hand the No. 13 ranked Valor their first KCAC loss of the season.

Evangel had taken its only lead in the first inning. Mayfield walked to open the game, stole second and later scored on Dill's RBI single to center. From there, Chavez settled in and kept the Spires within one run all game. The Spire right-hander threw a complete game, allowing five hits and one run over seven innings while walking four and striking out five.

The thrilling end came after the Spires spent most of the afternoon trying to solve Evangel starter Bentley. Trailing 1-0 entering their final at-bat, USM finally broke through. Nora Burrell would double to center field, advancing pinch runner Rylie Wiseman to third. Grace Rose would reach on a fieder's choice; however, Burrell would get caught up in the action and get called out at third, leaving Wiseman at third and Rose still at first.

Brooke Gerling would then deliver a huge swing, an RBI single to score Wiseman and tie the game at 1-1. The hero of game two, Desarae Chavez, would come in clutch with a double to left-center that brought home Rose representing the winning run and completing the walk-off rally.

The Spires finished with seven hits and worked eight walks against Bentley, who threw 136 pitches over 6 1/3 innings. Nora Burrell helped keep the offense moving with a 3-for-4 day that included two doubles. Gerling added an RBI and a walk, while Chavez contributed at the plate as well, going 1-for-4 with the game-winning RBI double.

Both teams were aggressive on the bases and each stole five bags, but USM's pitching and late execution proved to be the difference. Evangel left eight runners on base, while the Spires stranded 10 before cashing in when it mattered most.

The Spires will hit the road to face off against the (RV) Friends University Falcons this Saturday, April 4^th with the series set for 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. in Wichita.