SOFTBALL PICKS UP TWO WINS AT SAINT MARY

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. – Avila softball notched a pair of wins at Saint Mary on Wednesday afternoon behind two very strong pitching performances, winning the first game, 4-0 and picking up a 3-1 victory in the second.

In game number one, the two teams both had strong pitching and defensive performances as neither team had a runner cross the plate until the fifth inning.

In the top of the fifth, Maya Richards, Stephanie Hayes and Myra Megli recorded RBIs to give the Eagles a 3-0 lead.

In the seventh, it was Megli again who gave Avila an insurance run with an RBI double.

In the circle, McKayla Cotton pitched seven dominant innings, shutting down the Spire offense.

Cotton, the reigning KCAC Pitcher of the Week, allowed just four hits in the shutout effort, extending her scoreless innings streak to 17.

The second game was much of the same for Avila with another complete game effort from the Eagles pitching staff.

Mackenzie Daniels turned the Saint Mary offense away in all seven innings, allowing just one run on four hits while striking out four.

As opposed to the first game of the day, all scoring from the two teams took place in the first inning.

After her strong start in the first game, Cotton's bat helped Avila, getting the scoring started. After reaching first on an error, she was able to get Hayes to cross the plate for the first run of the game. The next batter up, Abi Beaman scored Cotton and Megli.

Saint Mary scored their lone run on an RBI single from the second batter of the game before Daniels quieted the Spire bats for the remainder of the game to give Avila a 3-1 lead and a doubleheader sweep over their KCAC rivals. 

Avila will be back in action on Saturday from The Z versus Tabor. First pitch of the doubleheader will come at 12 PM.

 (photo credit: Issy Aguilar)