MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The Spalding University softball team wrapped up their spring trip taking both games of a doubleheader from Mansfield, 2-1 and 9-8, Wednesday afternoon at the Fastpitch Dreams Classic.
The Golden Eagles took game one, 2-1. Mansfield jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Neither team scored over the four innings, until the Golden Eagles plated two runs to take the lead. SU scored their first run when
Laken Heavner grounded out to second base allowing
Caroline Hale to race home from third, and
Breanna Martin came home on a passed ball for the go-ahead run to make the final score 2-1.
Robyn Schoen (2-0), earned the win. Schoen limited the Mounties to one run, on seven hits, while striking out seven batters and walking none. Sierra Storm (1-1) took the loss, allowing two runs, on nine hits, with three strikeouts and four walks.
Caroline Hale led SU at the plate going 3-for-3 with a run scored, while Sam Klein went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles.
In a polar opposite of the pitcher's dual in game one, SU and Mansfield combined for 17 runs in game two with the Golden Eagles coming out on top, 9-8. This time the Golden Eagles jumped out early plating six runs in the first inning to take a 6-1 lead.
Kaylin Rucker got it started with a double to left center that brought in Heavner from third. SU added five more runs, capped off by a two-run double to left field by Heavner that drove Eatmon and Hale across the dish. Spalding put another run on the board when Eatmon drove in
Brooke Lamon in the second inning to extend SU's lead to six runs and the route looked to be on. However, the Mansfield bats came alive for five runs in the third cutting the Golden Eagles lead to one run, and tied it in the fourth. Nevertheless, Spalding was up to the challenge and answered in the bottom half the inning when
Lindsey Hubbard came home on an Eatmon groundout to regain the lead. After a Mansfield run in the fifth, it was Hubbard who answered with a single to left field that drove in
Mackenzee Sawyer for the game-winning run.
Oivia Leet (1-1) earned the win, the first of her collegiate career, giving up eight runs, on 15 hits, with five strikeouts and no walks. Arianna Young (5-2) suffered the loss, allowing nine runs, on 12 hits, with three strikeouts and three walks.
Brianna Eatmon led SU batters with three RBI on a 2-for-4 effort at the plate, while Sam Klein went 3-for-4 with one RBI and a run scored.
The Golden Eagles will be back in action with a home opening doubleheader this Saturday against Berea College. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 pm at Holy Cross High School.
