Winfield, Kan. — Southwestern College dropped both games of Tuesday's doubleheader (0-2) against the University of Saint Mary (19-17, 7-11), falling 6–3 in a competitive opener before suffering an 18–0 defeat in five innings in the nightcap at Broadway Recreation Complex.
In Game 1, the Moundbuilders (7-21, 1-16) kept things close, outhitting the Spires 10–9, but couldn't complete the late rally. After falling behind 3–0, Southwestern got on the board in the fifth with an RBI single from Nina Celestino, scoring Emily Garza. The Moundbuilders tacked on two more runs in the sixth, highlighted by an RBI single from Mackenzie Reinert and a heads-up baserunning sequence that plated another run.
Reinert and Garza each had two hits, while Lainey Hardman also collected a pair of singles. Emma Willesden went six innings in the circle, allowing six earned runs with four strikeouts. Faith Campbell tossed a clean seventh inning in relief.
Saint Mary took control with a run in the first, added another in the fourth, and broke it open with a three-run sixth, including a two-RBI triple from A. Kudym. D. Chavez picked up the win for the Spires with five strong innings.
In Game 2, the Moundbuilders struggled to slow down a red-hot Saint Mary offense, which exploded for nine runs in the first inning en route to an 18–0 run-rule win in five innings. The Spires racked up 19 hits, led by A. McDaniel's 4-for-4 performance, including a home run and four RBIs. K. Robinette added three RBIs, while S. Quintero finished 3-for-3 with three runs driven in.
Southwestern scattered six hits in the loss, including a triple from Kalli Viegra and singles from Jolie Boyd, Lainey Hardman, and Reagan Wright, but was unable to bring a run across. The pitching trio of Morgan Shaw, Faith Campbell, and Emma Willesden combined for six strikeouts but were overwhelmed by the Spires' early offensive onslaught.
Saint Mary's B. Venegas tossed a complete game shutout on just 44 pitches, striking out three and walking none.
Southwestern looks to regroup before its next KCAC matchup later this week.