Leavenworth, Kan.—

Game One:

The Spires quickly erased an early two-run deficit and broke game one open late this afternoon, defeating Southwestern 10-2 at the USM Softball Complex behind a huge four-run fifth inning and a six-run sixth.

Southwestern struck first in the opening inning. Mesna doubled to left-center, Henry followed with a run-scoring double to left, and Kucera added an RBI single to put the visitors ahead 2-0. From there, Grace Rose was cool, calm, and collected for the Spires. The Saint Mary pitcher worked all six innings, allowed four hits and two earned runs, did not issue a walk and finished with six strikeouts on 76 pitches, keeping the game within reach until the offense broke through.

The Spire rally started in the fifth. Center fielder Kylie Vandervoort helped produce the first run of the inning, and Rose then delivered the biggest hit of the frame, a two-RBI double to left that pushed the Spires in front. The four-run inning turned a quiet offensive day into a 4-2 advantage and shifted control to Saint Mary after SC's starter in the circle Willesden had limited damage through 4 1/3 innings.

The Spires finished the job in the sixth with six more runs. Vandervoort tripled to center to drive in two and capped a three-RBI day that also included a sacrifice. Later in the inning, Raegan McConnell lined a two-RBI double to right as USM continued to string together hard contact. The Spires totaled 11 hits, drew six walks, were hit by two pitches and added pressure on the bases with five stolen bases.

Rose also led Saint Mary at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a double, three RBIs and two runs scored. McConnell finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a double, while Vandervoort drove in three. Briana Solis would add two hits of her own to add to the growing tally. Saint Mary did not record a strikeout offensively in 23 at-bats and scored all 10 runs over the final two innings.

The Moundbuilders managed only two base runners after the first inning and left four on base for the afternoon. The Spires, after being held scoreless through four, scored four times in the fifth and six times in the sixth to close out the run-rule win, with Rose ending it in the circle after a complete-game effort.

Game Two:

USM found themselves in familiar territory in game two, erasing a late deficit and ending it in the bottom of the seventh Tuesday, completing the sweep over the Moundbuilders 5-4 on Kylie Vandervoort's RBI single with two outs in the seventh to send it home. Gabriella Rogers scored the winning run as the Spires capped a comeback in a game that turned twice over the final three innings.

Southwestern struck first in the top of the first when Mesna walked and later came home on a Spire error for a 1-0 lead. Saint Mary answered immediately. Grace Rose doubled in Nora Burrell to tie the game, and Raegan McConnell followed with another RBI double to put the Spires ahead 2-1 by the end of the opening inning. USM added to the margin in the second when Audrey Spellman singled to left-center to score Briana Solis, giving the Spires a 3-1 advantage.

The Moundbuilders swung momentum in the fifth. Howard doubled to right-center to drive in a run and start a three-run inning, then Henry and Boyd added RBI singles as Southwestern moved in front 4-3. Saint Mary starter Desarae Chavez worked through five innings, allowing four hits and four runs while walking five and striking out four.

USM pulled even in the sixth when McConnell delivered yet again. Her second double of the day brought home Burrell and tied the score at 4-4. McConnell finished 2 for 3 with two RBIs and two doubles, providing the biggest extra-base production in a Saint Mary lineup that collected six hits, three of them doubles.

Bianca Venegas kept the game in place over the final two innings, closing out the circle after Chavez's start and giving the offense a chance to answer. Southwestern starter Campbell nearly carried the visitors through seven innings, working 6 2/3 innings and allowing six hits, five runs, three walks and two strikeouts.

USM has a busy few days as they hit the road tomorrow, Wednesday, April 8^th headed to Lawrence to face non-con opponent Haskell Indian Nations. Game one is slated for 3:00 p.m. with game two to follow. Your USM softball team is currently 8-10 in KCAC play, sitting ninth in the conference standings with post-season looming.