WICHITA, Kan.  – Following a dominant sweep against York on Tuesday, the Lady Bluejays looked ahead to their second matchup on Thursday afternoon against Friends University. This midweek matchup marked the second of three total KCAC meetings this week for Tabor and the Lady Bluejays aimed to continue improving their conference record in the heart of the regular season. 
 
Going into the doubleheader with the Falcons, Tabor held an overall record of 18-13 and a conference record of 9-7. Friends entered with an overall record of 24-10 and a KCAC record of 12-4. 
 
GAME ONE: L, 1-10

The first game began with a rocky start for the Bluejays, as they were retired in order in the top of the first. In contrast, Friends came out strong in their half of the inning, stringing together five hits—including a three-run homer—and capitalizing on every opportunity to jump out to a quick 5-0 lead. Tabor tried to respond in the second inning with a promising spark when Candince Moreno-Hairabedian drilled a double to right field and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Despite getting into scoring position, she was left stranded after two consecutive strikeouts, leaving the Bluejays still searching for momentum.

Friends continued to apply pressure in the next two innings, stretching their lead to 10-0 by the end of the third thanks to another three-run homer and RBI hits. But the Bluejays showed they wouldn't go down without a fight. In the fourth inning, Darcy Gillen stepped up and blasted a solo home run to center field, putting Tabor on the scoreboard. Cheyenne Washington followed up with a sharp single to right center and advanced on a wild pitch, putting another runner in scoring position. 

Tabor's pitching and defense settled in during the latter innings, holding Friends scoreless in both the fourth and fifth. The Bluejays also began to work deeper into counts, as Lauren Roberts and Payten Staley drew back-to-back walks in the fifth, with Roberts also stealing second. While the 10-1 final score favored the Falcons, Tabor had some solid moments, highlighted by Gillen's home run, clean defensive play, and improved plate approaches.

GAME TWO: L, 3-5
 
The Bluejays came out with a sharper start compared to the series opener, putting pressure on Friends early in game two. Mylee Milne lined a single to right, and Gillen reached on a fielder's choice that included a defensive error, allowing runners to reach second and third. Though they couldn't capitalize in the inning, the Bluejays were already showing a more aggressive approach at the plate. Defensively, Tabor kept Friends scoreless in the bottom of the first with solid fielding, stranding two runners and establishing a more composed presence on the mound.

The momentum began to shift in the third when Staley launched a solo home run to left field, tying the game at 1–1 and energizing the Tabor dugout. After Friends responded with a two-run homer in their half of the inning, Tabor continued to fight, stringing together hits in the fourth and sixth innings. Washington and Dessa Zavala both collected singles in the sixth, and Tabor's discipline at the plate was rewarded when Reyna Enriquez, Leyla Ayala, and Savannah Evans each drew critical walks—Ayala and Evans driving in runs to cut the deficit to just 5–3. 

Tabor's defense stepped up late in the game, retiring Friends in order in the sixth and seventh innings to keep the score within reach. Despite going down quietly in the top of the seventh, the Lady Bluejays showed resilience throughout the game. Unfortunately, Tabor was unable to respond as they took the 3-5 loss against the Falcons, dropping the series in Wichita.

Moving forward, Saturday afternoon marks the Lady Bluejays' third doubleheader of the week as they take on Oklahoma Wesleyan University in a special Senior Day showdown. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. in Hillsboro with game two following shortly after around 3 p.m. The senior recognition ceremony will be held between games. Tabor will enter the doubleheader with a 18-15 overall record and a 9-9 record in KCAC play. The Eagles will enter the contest with an overall record of 29-9 and a conference record of 15-1 on the season. 

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).