The Tabor baseball team powered through a tough conference schedule to go 7-1 on the week with wins over McPherson College and the University of Saint Mary, improving the Bluejays to 25-5 overall and 11-1 in conference play.
?It is a big deal to start out strong,? said coach Mark Standiford. ?We were able to build a lot of confidence early in the year by winning some games against some very good teams.
?In my mind, this has helped to get off to a good start in conference play.?
Helping propel the Bluejays to success has been Adam McCormick, who continued to produce at the plate this past week, going 15-26 (.577) with 16 runs-batted-in. Art Corona also had a great week, with 13 hits and eight RBI.
On the mound David Ormiston was king, going 2-0 on the week and beating Saint Mary in only 55 pitches.
Saint Mary ?Tabor stumbled early, losing its first game against the Spires, 3-1, but rallying to earn the split at home Friday.
In Game 1, the Bluejays managed their only run of the game in the third inning, batted in by Paul Sciacca.
Brian Kowal (4-1) pitched seven innings in the loss, allowing six hits, three runs, and striking out five.
But Tabor rallied in the second game, scoring three runs in the first inning and adding two in the fifth for the 5-3 victory.
Adam McCormick set the pace at the plate with four runs-batted-in, including a home run.
Anthony Mendoza (5-0) pitched seven innings for the win, allowing three hits, three runs, and striking out seven.
Tabor hit the road Saturday, sweeping Saint Mary in a rematch doubleheader.
The ?Jays won, 10-1, in Game 1 of the contest, starting off with four runs in the first inning and adding another four in the fifth..
McCormick had three RBIs, and Koby Temple and Paul Sciacca each added two.
David Ormiston (5-1) pitched six innings for the win, allowing four hits, one run, while striking out one.?Nate Percy closed, pitching one inning and allowing one hit, no runs, and striking out one.
McPherson ?Tabor picked up a convincing sweep of the Bulldogs on the road March 26 in a make-up doubleheader.
In Game 1, the Bluejays soared to a 21-2 victory, boosted by nine runs in the sixth inning and five home runs in the game.
Adam McCormick led the charge with six runs-batted-in, including a home run. Paul Sciacca and Tyler Kozolowski each added three RBIs, with the latter pounding out two home runs.
Koby Temple and Bret Lentz added two RBIs each, with Temple and Spencer Putman each hitting a home run.
Anthony Mendoza (4-0) pitched five innings for the win, allowing two hits, two runs, and striking out nine. Cole Alex pitched one inning, allowing one hit, no runs, and striking out none.
Dawson Newman closed, pitching one inning, and allowing one hit, no runs, and striking out one.
In Game 2, Tabor earned a 6-2 win off a four-run fourth inning.
Art Corona led with four RBIs, including a home run, and McCormick added a home run.
David Ormiston (4-1) pitched all seven innings for the win, allowing three hits, two runs, while striking out 10.
Tabor hosted McPherson March 27 in another make-up doubleheader, earning the home sweep.
They nabbed a 5-4 win in Game 1, edging out the ?Dogs with two runs in the seventh after trailing by one in the previous inning.
Temple and Cody Wheeler shared offensive honors with two RBIs each, including a home run from Wheeler.
Nicholas Reif (4-1) pitched seven innings for the win, allowing four hits, four runs, while striking out six.
The Bluejays ran away with McPherson in the second game, claiming a 12-0 shut-out win after a five-run first inning.
Corona, Temple and Wheeler led at the plate with two RBIs each, including a home run from Corona.
Matt Lambert (2-0) pitched three innings for the win, allowing one hit, no runs, and striking out five.
Zach Richert, Jake Levendahl, Darius Iacono and Nate Percy all pitched one inning, allowing two hits, no runs, and striking out three between them all.
Coming ?Tabor is scheduled to host Ottawa University Thursday, before hitting the road for a rematch doubleheader Saturday.
The Bluejays are scheduled to play at Baker University April 10.
?We have a tough series this weekend with Ottawa,? said coach Mark Standiford. ?They are coming off a series in which they split with a very good Sterling team.?
