LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Spalding University softball team split a doubleheader against Transylvania University Wednesday losing the first game 2-1, but responded winning a 15-14 slugfest in the nightcap. Spalding's record now sits at 6-12 this season.
In the first game,
Kelci Flener had another fantastic outing on the mound, but offense was at a premium for the Eagles. Flener went the distance again, going seven innings and allowing two earned runs off six hits while striking out five. Flener drove in the Eagle's only run when she reached on an error with a runner on third. That cut the lead to 2-1 in the final inning, but Spalding was unable to push across another run.
In the second game,
Becca Mouser,
Amanda Gilliland and
Brooke Lamon combined for 10 RBIs as the Eagles erased a seven run deficit in the sixth inning before walking off in the seventh. After the Eagles allowed two runs in the top of the first, the offense erupted for six runs in the bottom half. Mouser and Lamon each had a 2-RBI hit in the inning. After Transy tied it in the second, the Eagles came right back and took the lead back at 7-6 on a sacrifice fly by Mouser. The Golden Eagle offense went quiet for a few innings while Transy kept scoring. The Pioneers led 14-7 after six and a half innings.
After Spalding loaded the bases with one out,
Kaylin Rucker and
Shelby Kilgore hit back-to-back run scoring singles to trim the deficit to five runs. After a Golden Eagle strikeout, Mouser ripped a 2-run double in the centerfield gap. A hit-by-pitch loaded the bases again for Gilliland, who followed with a game-tying triple. With the game tied and new life, the Eagles handed the ball back over to Flener, the staff ace. She pitched a perfect inning before the offense mounted a game-winning rally in the bottom of the seventh.
Brooke Lamon led off with a triple and later scored on a single by
Alyssa McAfee for the final margin.
Spalding has another doubleheader scheduled for Thursday, April 2 at Hanover. The games are scheduled for 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. EST.
