KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Following a split series against Bethany College on Thursday afternoon, the Lady Bluejays made the trip to Kansas City where they faced the Eagles of Avila University on Saturday for another KCAC doubleheader. 
 
Thursday's contest showcased several great moments for the Tabor softball team, including a two-run homer from Cheyenne Washington in game two to tie the game in the seventh inning. The Bluejays got the win in extra innings to split the series with the Swedes. 
 
Going into Saturday's doubleheader, the Lady Bluejays held an overall record o13-8 and a conference record of 4-2. The Eagles entered with an overall record of 14-10 and a KCAC record of 4-0. The last matchup between the two teams resulted in a series loss on Tabor's home field. 
 
GAME ONE: L  2-9

The Lady Bluejays started strong in their first game against the Eagles, securing an early lead with a solo home run from Darcy Gillen in the fourth inning. They extended their advantage in the sixth when Payten Staley scored on a shortstop single by Washington, giving Tabor a 2-0 lead. Up until that point, both teams had struggled offensively, with only a handful of hits scattered across the early innings.

However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the bottom of the sixth. Avila capitalized on a series of hits, walks, and defensive miscues to mount an explosive rally. The Eagles continued to apply pressure, drawing consecutive walks to push across the go-ahead run and eventually extended Avila's lead to seven.

Tabor attempted a response in the seventh, managing a pair of singles, but ultimately failed to break through Avila's defense. The Eagles' dominant sixth-inning performance proved decisive, securing them a 9-2 victory in the first game of the doubleheader. 

GAME TWO: L 6-7
 
In game two, Tabor initially took the lead in the third inning when Staley's RBI single brought in Reese Hefley. They extended their lead in the fourth with a two-run single from Lainee Rae Miller, making it 3-0. However, Avila responded in the bottom of the fourth, cutting the deficit to one run.

Avila tied the game in the fifth inning after a leadoff triple and an RBI single. The game remained knotted at three until the bottom of the sixth when a two-run triple gave the Eagles a 5-3 lead. Tabor fought back in the top of the seventh, rallying for three runs to regain the lead at 6-5, with Washington's sacrifice fly playing a crucial role in the go-ahead run.

Despite Tabor's late-game heroics, Avila sealed the victory in the bottom of the seventh. A crucial passed ball allowed the tying run to advance, and an RBI single evened the score at 6-6. Moments later, an Eagle delivered the game-winning hit, driving in the final run for a 7-6 walk-off victory. The Avila sweep marked a KCAC series loss for the Bluejays, but they will turn their focus to Tuesday's matchup against University of Saint Mary.

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).