BATS CARRY BASEBALL TO WIN OVER SAINT MARY

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Avila baseball saw double-digit runners cross the plate in today's matinee versus Saint Mary at The Z, picking up a 10-5 victory over the KCAC rivals.

All 10 Eagle runs came in two innings – a four-run third and a six-run sixth – to help the team snap the its brief losing streak.

In the third, Landon Vahle, Ricky Dober and Will Clark accounted for Avila's four RBI. After a USM two-run first, Avila held a 4-2 lead after three and wouldn't look back.

Still managing a two-run lead entering the seventh, Clark opened the inning getting hit by a pitch and catcher Rusten Traxler followed that up with a single to put runners on the corners.

The No. 9 hitter, JJ Stubblefield, laced a single to left to score Clark and force a Spire pitching change.

Saint Mary's reliever would face five batters without recording an out.

An RBI single from Tyler King complemented by a two-RBI double from Zach Dillman – who also started the game on the mound and delivered 4.2 innings of two-run ball – gave Avila an 8-2 lead.

With a single, Vahle would move Dillman to third and again put runners on the corners to set the table for Dober.

The junior would wrap up Avila's big offensive day with a two-run double down the left field line to give the Eagles an eight-run advantage.

Saint Mary would put together three runs in the final three innings to bring the scoreline closer, but Avila would prevail with a 10-5 victory.

In relief of Dillman on the mound, Joey Reichmuth tossed 2.1 innings, allowing just one hit and keeping the Spire bats at bay.

Dober with three and Dillman and Clark with a pair each were the three Eagles with multiple RBI in the contest. Avila's bats put up 14 hits throughout the game, with more than a third of the hits going for extra bases.

The Eagles continue a busy week as they host Missouri Valley on Tuesday at 1 PM before a three-game set at McPherson over the weekend.