Spires Tops Softball in Game Two of Doubleheader

Softball closed out the first day of the Branson Grand Slam Classic on Thursday with game two against Saint Mary (Kan.). The Spires erased an early Tiger lead and defeated Doane, 4-2.

In the top of the first, Jasmine Villegas drove in the first Tiger run with a double to plate Milannie Gonzalez. Saint Mary erased the Doane lead with a two-run single in the bottom of the first and they added a run in the second inning for a 3-1 lead.

Doane came back with a run in the fifth inning as Villegas singled to drive in Hannah Pack to cut the deficit in half. In the bottom of the inning, Saint Mary was able to get the run back with a bases loaded walk.

Faith McDonald started for Doane and threw the first three innings and the last inning. She went 4.0 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits with one strikeout. Abbi Arroyo threw 1.0 inning and allowed two hits. Hannah Kline threw 1.0 inning, allowing one run on one hit and three walks while striking out one.

The Tigers had seven hits in the game, three from Villegas and two from Lexi Alanis-Diaz. The team had three extra base hits in the game, two doubles and a triple.

Day two of the Grand Slam Classic will see the Tigers take on Evangel at 1:15 PM.