The Falcons softball team beat McPherson College on April 23 and then split with Sterling College the following Tuesday to win the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference title.  The games were exciting as the Falcons came from behind to win two of them, lose one and come out on fire in another.

Against McPherson in the first game, the women came out with an 11-3 victory behind 13 hits. 

“They played well and got out on top quickly,” head coach Tony Segovia said.

The second game wasn’t so easy, as the Falcons found themselves behind.  But then came a big double by Crystal Spaur. Nicole Sisson hit Spaur in, tying the game. The team then scored on an error and eventually won the game 4-3.

Going into the Sterling game, the women knew that they had to make Sterling lose at least one game to win conference.  By the end of the first game, they were starting to wonder if it would be so easy.  They lost that game 6-5 after being up 5-1 at the beginning. 

“There was a big crowd at Sterling and they weren’t cheering for us,” Segovia said.

But the second game put the team back on track.  They came back and won in the eighth inning making the score 6-5 again.  This time, it was in favor of the Falcons.

Pitcher Colette Fex injured her hand playing in the outfield.  She is questionable for the tournament, which starts Thursday, May 5, at Bethany College.

Although it is tough to lose Fex after she has had such a great year, Segovia said that if the team gets out on top quickly, then they can get the run-rule and end the game early, saving the arm of the other pitcher, Kelly Watson.

Segovia also says he isn’t worried about Watson pitching the remainder of the games because “she did it in high school.  She’s a great athlete and is in good shape so it shouldn’t be a problem.”

The Falcons will begin tournament play this Thursday at 3 p.m. against Ottawa University, a team they have beat twice.  If they win they play again at 9 p.m. and if they lose they play at 5 p.m.  A team must lose twice before being eliminated from the tournament.

Regardless of how far they go into the tournament, Segovia said, “They’ve had a great year.  I’m excited that they won conference because it goes toward all of their hard work paying off.  I appreciate that hard work and I appreciate them.”