Wichita, Kan.—

Game One:

Spire softball grabbed the first early lead, but Friends would come back to answer with two home runs and a big fifth inning for the Falcons to hand the Spires a 5-2 loss yesterday afternoon in Wichita.

USM got on the board in the top of the second. Brianna Camarena reached on a fielder's choice, and an error on the play allowed Desarae Chavez to score for a quick 1-0 Spires lead. The margin held until the fourth, when the Falcon's Lozoya tied the game with a solo home run to deep center.

Friends did its damage in the fifth. After Melo opened the inning with a single, Riordan hit a two-run homer to center for a 3-1 lead. Arredondo followed later in the inning with an RBI single, then Lozoya added an RBI double as Friends pushed the advantage to 5-1.

The Spires would muster their final run in the bottom of the fifth. Raegan McConnell delivered an RBI single that scored Briana Solis and cut the deficit to 5-2, but the damage had been done and the Spires could not get closer. USM finished with seven hits, matching Friends, but left six runners on base.

Kylie Vandervoort led Saint Mary at the plate with two hits, including a double. In the circle, Grace Rose worked six innings and took the loss after allowing seven hits and five runs with two strikeouts and two walks on 101 pitches. The Falcons pitcher Ormiston went the distance, giving up seven hits and two runs, one earned, while striking out three and walking one.

Game Two:

The final game in the series would tell a similar tale, as the Spire were held scoreless for a 6-0 series sweep, using a first-inning home run and a three-run third inning to take control. Riordan provided the first spark with a solo shot to right field, and the Falcons never gave up the lead, stumping the USM squad in Wichita.

The determining stretch came in the third inning. Lozoya lined an RBI single to center to score Arredondo for a 2-0 advantage, then Jones followed with an RBI triple down the right-field line to make it 3-0. Friends added another run later in the inning when Hernandez reached on a Saint Mary error, allowing Jones to score and push the margin to 4-0.

The Falcons added the final two blows in the fourth. Riordan doubled to right as part of the rally, and Roman later singled before additional defensive miscues helped the Falcons extend the lead to 6-0. USM finished with three errors, and only four of the six runs charged to the pitching staff were earned.

The Spires collected six hits but could not break through against Friends starter in the circle, Arredondo and reliever McGill. Arredondo worked five scoreless innings, allowing five hits and four walks while striking out one. McGill closed the final two innings, giving up one hit and striking out three to complete the shutout. Friends pitchers limited the opportunities for the Spire power hitters with runners in scoring position while stranding 10 overall.

The Saint Mary offense showed some life with three doubles among its six hits, Raegan McConnell would again lead her team going 2-4 in game two. Kylie Vandervoort, Grace Rose, Rylie Wiseman, and Siarra Quintero would each tally one hit apiece. Friends finished with 12 hits, including three from Lozoya, while Riordan scored twice and supplied both a home run and a double. Jones added the RBI triple, and the Falcons also pressured the defense with four stolen bases.

The Spires will be right back in action on Tuesday, April 7^th with a home double header against KCAC opponent the Southwestern College Moundbuilders with game one set for 2:00 p.m. at the USM softball field.