LEAVENWORTH, Kan. – The Bluejay Softball team made the trek up north to take on the University of Saint Mary Spires in a KCAC doubleheader. The Bluejays were looking to bounce back from a two-game setback last to Avila last weekend, while the Spires were coming off a split with McPherson.
 
Game One: L 6-5
 
The Bluejays would start out with a pop-up, a ground out, and a fly out in the top of the 1^st. 
 
The Spires would get on the board first, with an RBI double to right field in the bottom of the 1^st. 
 
Jordyn Farren would be hit by pitch to be the first Bluejay on base, but she would not be alone for long as Leyla Ayala would single to left field and Farren would go to second. Payten Staley would reach the bases on a fielder's choice, moving Ayala to second, but Farren would be tagged out before reaching third. Lainee Rae Miller would reach first due to an error by the first baseman, sending Ayala in to score and Staley to third.
 
Saint Mary would answer in the bottom of the 2^nd with a run of their own, also unearned. 
 
Farren and Cheyenne Washington would get on base in the top of the third, but it would be to no avail, as the Spires were able to get the last out to send the Bluejays back on defense.
 
Marisa Carranza was able to hold steady in the circle through what could have been a dangerous situation with bases loaded for Saint Mary. Carranza did not allow any runs to come through in the bottom of the 3^rd and instead stranded all three Spires to end the inning. 
 
Staley reached first base in the top of the 4^th after being hit by pitch, before getting caught attempting to steal second. Jacqueline Garcia pinch-hit and drove in an RBI double to send Reese Hefley home. Darcy Gillen would drive in another run with an RBI double along the left field line. 
 
Carranza had an impressive 4^th Inning, sitting down all three batters she faced, allowing the Bluejay offense to get back to work.
 
Staley would single to right field, but Tabor couldn't get anything going.
 
The Spires would score two runs in the bottom of the 5^th, with both coming off RBI singles. 
 
The Tabor ladies would not let those runs go unanswered, as they would score two of their own in the top of the 6^thInning. Laura Savage scored in Mikayla Guarascio off an RBI triple, and Gillen would double to right field to drive Savage in to score.
 
The Lady Bluejays would hold Saint Mary scoreless in the bottom of the 6^th Inning and they would be held scoreless themselves in the top of the 7^th. The Spires would even the score in the bottom of the 7^th, forcing the game into extra innings.
 
Both teams would go without scoring in the 8^th Inning, but not after each having chances to score, with both teams having a runner on third ready to score. The Bluejays would have a chance to score and end the game in the top of the 9^th, with two runners in scoring position, but the runs would not materialize. Saint Mary would score off a sac bunt and a fielder's choice, to take game one. Chloe Yturbide-Reader would be charged with the loss in the circle for Tabor.
 
Game Two: L 9-1
 
The Bluejays would start game two on a high note after dropping the first game in heartbreaking fashion, with a leadoff homer from Laura Savage. The Spires would quickly close out the half of the inning, retiring the next three Bluejays. 
 
The Spires would quickly answer in the bottom of the 1^st and would score two runs. One run would come from an RBI double out to left field, while another would come in to score off a ball hit right to the pitcher. 
 
Saint Mary would score again in the 2^nd, and the Bluejays had no answer. The Spires would score two more in the bottom of the 3^rd, driving them in off an RBI triple and a sac fly to right field. The Bluejays gave themselves a chance in the top of the 4^th with a double from Gillen, but she would be left stranded.
 
Four runs would be scored in the 5^th for the Spires. Two runs would be driven in by a two-run homer, and the second pair of runs would also come in via a two-run homer. Saint Mary would lead the Bluejays going into the top of the 5^th, 9-1. Reyna Enriquez, Payten Staley, and Dessa Zavala would all reach base in the top of the 5^th, but the Spires had their number defensively. Saint Mary would win the game on a run-rule, 9-1.
 
The Lady Bluejays will be back on the road as they make the trip down to Springfield, Mo. for the first time to take on the Evangel University Valor. The first pitch of the doubleheader will take place at 1pm and the games will be broadcast live on the KCAC Network.
 
Be sure to stay up to date with all information regarding Bluejay Athletics by following us on X at @gotaborbluejays, on Instagram and Facebook @taborbluejays, and on our official athletic website, taborbluejays.com.

Tabor College is a Christ-centered institution located in Hillsboro, Kansas. The Bluejays are members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and compete in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC).