Softball Falls in First Games at Saint Mary

The Kansas Christian softball team played their first games in program history on Wednesday afternoon in a double header at the University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth, Kan.

The first hitter to the plate in program history for the Falcons was Alexis Williams. The first hitter to reach base was Cherie Green when she worked a two out walk in the top of the first. The Falcons went scoreless in the first. Ari Lopez retired the first batter she faced with a fly out to left, but the Spires plated a run in the bottom of the first to take a 1-0 lead. In the second inning Aubrey Smith led off with a walk and eventually scored on the first hit in program history when Sam Johnson sent an RBI single into left field to tie the game at one. 

The Falcons took the lead in the third inning when Alexis Williams hit the first double for the Falcons to lead off the inning. Williams came around to score on a RBI fielder's choice from Cherie Green. The Falcons held the lead until the fifth inning when the Spires broke out for eight runs and the Falcons dropped game one 10-2. 

Ari Lopez tossed 4.2 innings for the Falcons allowing six earned runs. Deidre Swinford also pitched in relief. Baylee Highfill had a team high two hits while Alexis Williams, Trinitie Butler, and Sam Johnson each had one hit. Cherie Green reached on a walk and drove in one run. Aubrey Smith also reached on a walk. 

In the second game of the double header, the Falcons took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Alexis Williams reached on an error then Baylee Highfill singled and Williams scored on a Spire error. Saint Mary tied the game with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning. The Spires went on to score 10 more runs over the next four frames. Alexis Williams scored another run for the Falcons in the third after a leadoff double. Cherie Green scored Williams with an RBI single. 

Cherie Green finished two for three with an RBI. Alexis Williams, Baylee Highfill, Trinitie Butler, and Deidre Swinford all recorded a hit. Sam Johnson reached base twice with two walks. Deidre Swinford pitched 4.1 innings allowing six earned runs on seven hits. Haven Kelly pitched in relief for the Falcons as well. 

The softball team now turns their attention to their first home games in program history on Thursday, Feb. 16 at 1pm. The games will be played at the Kansas City MLB Urban Youth Academy in Kansas City, Mo.