AUBURNDALE/DAVENPORT, Fl. – The Spalding University baseball team goes 2-3 as the Russmatt Central Florida Invitational.
 
Game 1: Spalding 6 - William Patterson 3
In game one of the invitational, Spalding would score first as Dryden Schroeder would tap home plate on the error by the Pioneers' third baseman. Schroeder reached on a single to left earlier in the first inning where he then stole second base and reached third on a ground out by Jacob Spanyer. Although the Pioneers would tie the score in the bottom of the frame, Spalding would tack on another run in the top of the third as Nick Salas would score Michael Newsom on the infield single. William Patterson would take the lead 3-2 in the bottom of the fourth as the Pioneers would string some hits together. The Golden Eagles would take a two-run lead in the top of the sixth as Spalding takes advantage of walks and missed pitches. Spanyer would triple down the rightfield line to score Schroeder and Newsom. Spalding would add an insurance run in the top of seventh to secure the win, 6-3.
 
Garrett Mathews would get his first win of the season as Aaron Blake gets the save for the Golden Eagles. Dryden Schroeder and Ethan Tuttle each ended game one 2-for-3 with a combined three walks.
 
Game 2: Spalding 15 - William Patterson 5
A monster 11-point, fourth inning for Spalding gave the Golden Eagles a sure win in the double header. The Pioneers would take an early lead as a ball would leave the yard for William Patterson in the top of the first. Though the Golden Eagles tied the score in the bottom of the second, the Pioneers would answer back in the top of the third to take a 2-1 lead. Spalding would bust the game open in the fourth scoring 11 runs as the Pioneers change pitchers three times trying to stop the damage. The Golden Eagles would add two more in the fifth to take the win 15-5 against the Pioneers.
 
Peyton Hood evens his record at two as he picks up the win on the mound for Spalding. Spanyer was 1-for-3 at the plate with two RBIs and a double while Salas was 1-for-2 with two RBIs, a double, and a walk. Hunter Strong was 3-for-3 with two RBIs, a walk, and a double while Michael Speck went 2-for-3 with three RBIs. Everette Cogan was 1-for1 with a pinch-hit homerun for his first of the season.
 
Game 3: Beloit 10 - Spalding 8
The Golden Eagles would strike first scoring two runs in the first inning as Nicholas Salas kept Spalding alive with a two-out double to left field. Matthew McDowell would single to left field scoring Jacob Spanyer and Salas for a two-run lead. Beloit would answer back with three runs of their own as they take advantage of Spalding errors. The Bucs' would continue to tack on to their lead over the next three innings. Despite Beloit having a six-run lead, the Golden Eagles would rally in the top of the ninth to get them within two of lead. The Bucs' would take the game 10-8.
Zach Vogt earns his first loss of the season for the Golden Eagles. Michael Newsom finished the game 2-for-5 with an RBI and a double while Matthew McDowell went 2-for-4 at the plate with two RBIs, a walk, and a double. Hunter Strong finished 2-for-4 with two runs, and RBI, a walk, and a homerun.
 
Game 4: St. Scholastica 8 - Spalding 7
The Saints would lead 3-0 through four innings. The Golden Eagles would get two runs up on the board in the top of the fifth as Dryden Schroeder gets on the bases with a two-out double. Eric Bronner would pinch hit for Spanyer and would get an inside the park homerun to put Spalding within one of the lead. The Saints would answer back, pushing three more across the plate to give them a four-run advantage. The Golden Eagles were able to tie it up in the top of the ninth as they clawed their way back as the game goes into extras. An error by the Saints centerfielder would give Dryden Schroeder a leadoff triple. Schroeder would then score from third on a wild pitch, giving Spalding their first lead of the game. The Golden Eagles could not keep the Saints off the bases as St. Scholastica walks it off in the bottom of the tenth.
 
Nate Thomas records his first loss of the season on the mound for Spalding. Schroeder goes 3-for-5 with two runs, a double, a stolen base, and a walk. Eric Bronner was 2-for-4 at the plate with two RBIs, a double, and a homer.
 
Game 5: WashU 9 - Spalding 8
Washington would score six runs in the bottom of the first inning as the Bears would take advantage of Spalding errors and wild pitches. The Golden Eagles would answer back in the top of the fourth with five runs as they also take advantage of Washington errors. Spalding would take the lead in the fifth as Matt McDowell got the rally going with a single through the right side. Speck would keep the two-out inning going with another single up the middle. An error by the centerfielder on a ball hit by Strong would allow two runs to score for the Golden Eagles putting them up by one run. Despite Spalding taking the lead by one, Washington would score two more and take the lead in the bottom of the eighth inning and ultimately the win, 9-8.
 
Aaron Blake records his first win of the season on the bump for the Golden Eagles. Schroeder end the game 2-for4 with two runs and a double as Ethan Tuttle goes 2-for-4 with a run and two RBIs.
 
Up next, the Golden Eagles will travel to Lexington, Ky. to play Transy on Wednesday, March 23^rd with first pitch at 7:00 pm ET.