Leavenworth, Kan.— The Spires took control early and never let up this afternoon, beating Evangel (MO) 3-1 at USM Baseball Field behind a three-RBI afternoon from Tannen Buss and a strong start on the mound from Moises Soriano.

The decisive swing came in the bottom of the third. After the Spires had already scratched across a run in the first on Buss' RBI ground out that scored Saul Vazquez-Alvarado, Buss delivered again with a two-run single to left. That hit brought home Ian Maldonado and Saul Vazquez-Alvarado and pushed Saint Mary ahead 3-0, giving Soriano enough cushion to work from the front the rest of the day.

USM managed just five hits, but made them count and added pressure with five walks. Buss finished with one hit, three RBIs and a walk, producing all of the Spires' offense. The Spires also played clean defense behind its pitching staff, finishing without an error while Evangel committed one miscue.

Soriano set the tone on the mound. The right-hander went 7.0 innings, allowed five hits and one run, walked three and struck out five to earn the win. Evangel threatened at times, including a fourth-inning triple to right by Cherrico, but Soriano limited the damage. The visitors broke through in the fifth when Reilly doubled to left to score Perry and trim the deficit to 3-1.

After that, the Spires closed the door. Hayden Roop handled the final 2.0 innings for the save, allowing one hit and striking out two on 18 pitches. Evangel starter Daley took the loss after working 3.2 innings and allowing three earned runs on three hits. The visitors finished with six hits but stranded seven runners, while USM left nine on base.

The final weekend KCAC home series will continue tomorrow afternoon with game two set for 1:00 p.m. at USM baseball field to continue on the Senior Day weekend celebrations.