Columbia, Mo.- The Spartans headed down I-70 yesterday (March 29) for a two-day road trip to Columbia, Mo. They were up against Stephens College first as they look to continue their six-game win streak. Both games of the doubleheader went in different directions but ultimately the Spartans were able to pull out the sweep.
 
GAME ONE
The Spartans came out hot in their first matchup against the Stars, putting up five runs in the first inning. Meghan Hager led off for the Spartans, making it on base with a bunt to the third baseman and beating out the throw. The sophomore wasn't on base for long as, after stealing second, Miranda Ladson brought her in with a fly ball into the right center gap. Ladson went on to score herself after making it to third on a double by Brooklynn Fischer out to right field. Both scored when Abagail Cafolla stepped up and hit a ground ball up the middle. After Allison Leigraf made it on with a walk, both Leigraf and Ab. Cafolla stole second and third, making it to their respective bases safely due to Jenna Achs showing a bunt and drawing in the infield. Achs went on to hit a line drive out to bring Ab. Cafolla home. Kolby Brake was then up to bat with runners at first and third. During the seniors at bat, Achs was able to steal second when the catcher threw it wide on the throwdown, leading to Leigraf taking advantage of the situation and making it home.  Brake proceeded to make it on base, but the Stars put a stop to the Spartans scoring run during the inning.

The Spartans were soon back at it when Leigraf hit a ground ball to the third baseman. Though the sophomore was out at first, Leigraf gave Fischer the opportunity to make it home on the throw to first. Achs was able to follow up with a base hit right by the second baseman, scoring Ab. Cafolla for their seventh run of the game.

MBU didn't stop there. In the top of the third, Fischer hit a long sacrifice fly out to center field to bring in Hager who made it on at the start of the inning with a ground ball to third base. In the top of the fourth the Spartans continued to widen the gap. Achs was caught in a pickle on her attempt to steal second but was able to beat the second baseman to the bag for she could put the tag on her. While that was going on, Leigraf was able to safely make it home with no one in the infield even sparing her a glance. Achs, still on second, went on to score when Ladson hit a ground ball out of reach of the diving second baseman. Fischer then ended things on a high not for the Spartans, putting up the last runs of the game by sending a bomb over the center field fence for a big three run homer.

While the Spartans were unable to put up any runs in the fifth, the challenge proved too much for the Stars and the game ended early after five innings. Fischer, who was in the circle for the Spartans earned her fifth shutout of the season.
 
GAME TWO
It was a very different start to game two with the Stars putting up two runs in the first to take the lead. MBU didn't take that lying down as they put up a run in the second to start closing the gap. After AB. Cafolla made it on due to a fielder's choice by the second baseman, she was moved around to third by a base hit from Leigraf. Achs was up to bat next and hit a ground ball to second, allowing Ab. Cafolla to make home on the play.

The Spartans were able to overtake the Stars in the third, putting up four runs to gain the lead. Abby Wilson and Meghan Hager were on first and third with no outs. During Ladson's at bat, the pitcher sent one high where it glanced off the catcher glove, presenting Wilson with the opportunity to take home. The junior took her chance and slid into home plate under the tag of the pitcher. With that, the Spartans were able to tie up the game, 2-2. On the very next pitch the Spartans took the lead when Ladson ground ball to the short stop and reaching on an error by the first baseman. Hager, who made it to third on the wild pitch, was able to make it home to secure the lead for the Spartans. MBU didn't end it there. With Ladson on second and Ab. Cafolla on first, Leigraf stepped up and hit a soft line drive out to left field to bring in both, securing the Spartans the 5-2 lead.

MBU kept it going in the fifth where they scored another three runs. Ab. Cafolla and Leigraf were once again on base, waiting to be brought in. Ab. Cafolla found her chance to score when Brake hit a fly ball out to center that landed just in front of the fielder. On the throw to home, both Leigraf and Brake were able to move into scoring position at second and third. Wilson was up next and hit a sac fly out to right field to bring in Leigraf. On the very next pitch, Hager hits one up the middle to bring in Brake for their eighth run of the game.

The Spartans were sitting with a nice lead going into the top of the sixth, adding another run when Brake hit a sac fly of her own to score Ab. Cafolla. MBU hit a snag in the bottom of the inning when Stephens put up six runs to bring it to a one run ball game. Heading into the seventh the Spartans knew they would have to go to work if they didn't want to risk losing the game. They certainly did, putting up the most runs in a single inning of the double header. Fischer stepped into the batter's box with no outs and Ladson and Hager on first and third. With a line drive up the middle, Fischer was able to bring home Hager. Both base runners were able to steal second and third on the next at bat and MBU now had two runners in scoring position. Ab. Cafolla then launched a big two run double out to the left center gap bringing the Spartans to a 12-8 lead. After that the Spartans soon found themselves with two outs but the pressure of the last out has never stopped them before. The bases were loaded with Wilson in the batter's box looking for a base hit. On the second pitch, the ball goes wide, glancing off the glove of the catcher. Ab. Cafolla was quick to get a jump on the opportunity, sliding home before the catcher was able to toss it to the pitcher covering the base. Wilson was able to keep the groove going, hitting a ground ball out to left field. Leigraf, who was at third was able to easily make it home. Achs, who was at second had a bit more ground to cover but the sophomore still beat out the throw to slide into home safely. The Spartans went full circle with Hager who scored the first run of the inning being the one to bring in the last run of the game. The sophomore hit a line drive that glanced off the pitcher's glove and into open space, giving plenty of time for Wilson to make it home.  

The Spartans may have cut it close in the sixth inning but seven runs in the seventh put them in a good spot going into the bottom of the seventh where they shut down the Stars for a 16-8 victory. Alexandria Cafolla throws five complete innings, earning her sixth win of the season with Taylor Whitehead coming in at the bottom of the sixth to wrap things up for the Spartans.

The Spartans now go up against Columbia College today (March 30) at 2PM and 4PM.