Olathe, Kan.- The Spartans faced a quick turnaround following spring break. Just days after returning, they loaded onto the bus headed for Kansas to take on MidAmerica Nazarene. MBU knew what they were getting into as they had already taken on MNU down in Florida last Thursday (March 14).

GAME ONE
MBU was up to bat first with Meghan Hager leading off for the Spartans. After a couple of pitches, the sophomore hit a ground ball to the shortstop and was able to capitalize on their mistake to make it on base. Ladson then stepped up and had a base hit out to left field to move Hager into scoring position. Hager then stole third base and was waiting on her opportunity to make it home. That soon came when Abagail Cafolla hit a sacrifice fly out to center field, bringing in the first run of the game. It would then be a few more innings before the Spartans would put up another run.

The next run for MBU would come in the top of the sixth, but the Spartans didn't stop with one. During the inning they put up a total of seven, taking the lead 8-0. Brooklynn Fischer kicked off the inning for MBU with a double out to left field. Ab. Cafolla would then knock down a bunt to move Fischer around and with the first baseman having to step off the bag to catch the throw, Ab. Cafolla made it safely to first. Natalie Archer was up next with runners on first and third. The junior hit a fly ball out to the center field fence, bringing in Fischer. The Spartans were back with runners at first and third, but the bases were soon loaded when Allison Leigraf knocked down a bunt, making it to first. Just in time to as Achs came out and hit a grand slam over the right field fence. Abby Wilson was then able to keep the momentum going, hitting a little blooper that landed right in front of the left fielder. Ladson then had a fly ball out to left field to bring in Wilson while making it to second base. With Fischer up next, the Spartans had made their way through the line up. In a similar fashion the sophomore hit another double out to left field, this time bringing home Ladson for the final run of the game.

With Alexandria Cafolla going to work in the circle, the Spartans were able to end things in six innings. The graduate student had four strikeouts on the game while giving up on seven hits and no runs. Cafolla posted her second shutout of the season with the Spartans 8-0 win over MNU.
 
GAME TWO
The second matchup against the Pioneers went by in a similar fashion, but this time the Spartans were putting up consistent runs throughout the game. After a quick first inning, Leigraf started off the second by making it on base with a walk. Achs followed up with a line drive up the middle, moving Leigraf to second. Kolby Brake then hit into a fielder's choice with a short pop up over the second baseman where they threw out Ladson at second. The Spartans then had runners at first and third and it would be Emily Wright who would move them around. The freshman would hit a fly ball out to center field to score Leigraf for the first run of the game.

The Spartans would keep it going in the third when on the first pitch, Fischer hit a homer over the center field fence. It wouldn't stop there with the next three Spartans making it on to load the bases. Brake went to work in the batter's box, winning the count to bring in Archer. With the bases loaded once again, Amber Cage was up to bat. The senior hit a long sacrifice fly out to left field, giving Leigraf time to tag up and then make it home. The Pioneers were able to put up a run themselves during the inning, but it would be the first and last time they score.
MBU was back to work in the fourth, putting up another two runs. Fischer had made it on with her third double of the day. Archer would follow up by knocking one out of the park, over the left field fence. The Spartans would be up 7-1 until the top of the sixth. The bases were loaded with Archer,  Leigraf, and Achs on once again. Brake was back up to bat and did it again, taking the pitcher to a full count and then watching that fourth ball go by. With that final run walked in, the Spartans beat MBU for the second time that day 8-1.

Taylor Whitehead got her start in the circle this time, just missing out on her second shut this year. In the full seven innings, the junior only let up five hits and with the Pioneers lone run due to an error, Whitehead still posted a zero ERA.
 
The Spartans will be back at home this Friday to open up conference play against Cottey College starting at 2 PM.