LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Spalding University baseball team split games with Blackburn in double-header action. Blackburn took the first game over the Golden Eagles, 6-2 in a scheduled seven inning contest. Jarrett Sandlin (1-3) picked up the victory, while Aaron Mitchell (2-1) was hit with the loss. Spalding got their win running away, 15-1 in a seven inning shortened game. Jimi Keating (2-2) was credited with the win, while Jarrett Luckett (0-3) was tagged for the loss. Spalding sees their record move to 9-6 overall and 1-2 in SLIAC play. Blackburn's record moves to 3-11 overall and 2-1 in conference play.
 
Korie Vire led the way for the Golden Eagles, going 5-for-7 with a RBI, two runs, and two stolen bases. Nic Chafin had a solid day going 4-for-7, including two triples with one RBI and two runs. Dillon Sievert was an offensive machine, going 3-for-5 with four RBI's, a run, and a walk.
 
In game one, Spalding opened the scoring in the bottom of the first. Chafin led off with a single and was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Another sac bunt got Chafin to third before Kam Bruner hit a RBI single to give Spalding a 1-0 lead. Nolan Simpkins extended the Golden Eagle lead to 2-0 after hitting a RBI triple to right field. The Beavers would answer in a big way in the top of third, hanging four runs on the board, to lead 4-2. The inning was highlighted by Matt Mokriakow's three RBI double. In the top of the fifth, Blackburn would hit a sacrifice fly to stretch their lead to 5-2. The top of the seventh saw Blackburn add an insurance run to lead 6-2 heading into the bottom of the seventh. In the bottom half, Spalding threatened with runners on second and third, but were unable to bring anyone home as Blackburn took game one.
 
Game two would see Spalding open the scoring in the bottom of the third. With two outs, Bruner managed to get on base, drawing a walk. Kyle Stevens hit a single and a passed ball moved the runners to second and third. Sievert hit a grounder to first and was able to get the two runners home for a 2-0 lead. In the bottom of the fourth, Chafin hit a RBI triple to extend the lead to 3-0. The fifth inning saw Blackburn get on the board with a RBI single to make it 3-1, Spalding. The Golden Eagles would extend the lead in the bottom half. Vire led off with a single, followed by a double from Bruner. Stevens would hit a single through the left side to score Vire and make it a 4-1 ballgame. Sievert would follow up with a single to left field, scoring Bruner and giving Spalding a 5-1 lead. The bottom of the sixth would see Spalding's offense explode for ten runs as they batted around to the top of the order. Chafin led off with a triple and scored on a single from Simpkins. Vire would double and Bruner walked to load the bases. Sievert singled to center scoring Vire. Matt Harper would then single through the left side, scoring Stevens, making it a 9-1 game. Jacob Woodruff cleared the bases with a three RBI double and extended the lead to 12-1. Simpkins singled and an error in the outfield would bring two runners home, making it 14-1 in favor of Spalding. Vire would step back in and hit a single to left, scoring Simpkins pushing the lead to 15-1. The damage was done and the teams would call play after the Blackburn failed to generate offense in the top of the seventh.
 
Spalding will be back in action Wednesday, March 23^rd when they travel to Terre Haute, Ind. to take on Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. The first pitch is scheduled for 6 pm EST.