HILLSBORO, Kan.  – Tuesday afternoon marked the Lady Bluejays' final doubleheader of the regular season against rival Bethel College on their home field. Tabor's series loss to Ottawa last weekend put the Bluejays at a 12-12 conference record with just a single remaining doubleheader left in the season. 
 
Going into the series with the Threshers, Tabor held a 21-18 overall record. Bethel recorded an overall record of 10-25 and a conference record of 6-18 on the season. Last year's matchup between the two teams resulted in a series sweep over the Threshers in North Newton, where the Bluejays took a strong 10-2 victory in game one and a close 9-8 win in game two. 
 
GAME ONE: W, 3-2
 
In the first inning of the game, Bethel took an early 1-0 lead with a series of singles that allowed a single Thresher to cross the plate. However, Tabor quickly responded in the bottom half of the inning. With solid hitting from Payten Staley, Reyna Enriquez, Cheyenne Washington, and Candince Moreno-Hairabedian, the Bluejays scored twice to take a 2-1 lead. Tabor then extended their lead to 3-1 in the second inning, capitalizing on a walk, a bunt single, and an error by Bethel's defense. Despite the Threshers' efforts to recover, including a run-scoring single in the fifth, the Bluejays held firm.

The middle innings saw both teams unable to add much offensively, with effective pitching from Marisa Carranza and Chloe Yturbide-Reader, along with tight fielding keeping runners stranded. Tabor's defense stepped up in key moments, such as when Bethel had multiple runners on base in the second and sixth innings but failed to capitalize. Key outs at crucial times, including a heads-up interference call and solid infield work, helped Tabor maintain their narrow lead heading into the final innings.

In the seventh, with Bethel down to their final three outs, Tabor's defense once again came through. The Bluejays retired the side in order, highlighted by routine plays handled cleanly in the infield. Tabor's early scoring and clutch defense throughout the game allowed them to secure a close 3-2 victory in the first game of the doubleheader.

GAME TWO: W, 3-0

Tabor opened game two with a quick and efficient start, scoring early in the bottom of the first. After a leadoff single by Staley and a stolen base, Washington came through with a clutch RBI single to put the Bluejays up 1-0. Bethel, meanwhile, struggled to generate offense through the first three innings, going down in order twice and getting caught stealing in the one instance they put a runner on base.

The Bluejays maintained their momentum with solid defense and key hits in the middle innings. In the fifth, Khily Brower's double set the tone for a two-run rally, capped off by an RBI single from Gillen and an error by Bethel's second baseman that allowed another run to score. Tabor's pitching and defense continued to dominate, keeping Bethel off the scoreboard despite their attempts to rally, including a double play in the sixth that erased a baserunner.

In the seventh and final inning, Bethel mounted their biggest threat of the game, stringing together three singles to load the bases. However, Madison Nelson's pitching came up with a huge strikeout to end the game and preserve the shutout. Behind strong pitching, timely hitting, and sharp fielding, the Bluejays completed the sweep of the doubleheader with a 3-0 victory.

The Lady Bluejays are set to move on to the KCAC Tournament where they will face a group of strong conference opponents in Branson, Mo. early next week. Tabor rounded out the regular season with an overall record of 23-18 and a KCAC record of 14-12. Make sure to look for more information on their postseason run coming soon. 

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).