LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Spalding University softball team split a pair of games to the Eagles of Asbury University. The Golden Eagles extend their record to 6-8.
Game 1: Spalding 6 - Asbury 5
Asbury would lead the game in the first three innings, 3-0, as they were able to string some hits together. In the bottom of the fourth, Spalding would gather some momentum as
Grayce Marcum would start the scoring with a single to left center who then stole second on the next pitch.
Jessica Tucker would earn herself a walk as
Bella Velez walked up to the plate. Velez would advance the runners on an infield ground ball to put runners in scoring position.
Madison Loechle would single to left field to score Tucker and Marcum getting Spalding within one of the lead. Loechle would score Tucker again in the bottom of the sixth to tie the score at three as she singles up the middle. Asbury would start to take advantage of Spalding errors as they push two runs across in the top of the seventh to take the lead. The Golden Eagles would not yield as
Kailey Reed would single up the middle to start the long rally. Tucker would hit a two out double to left center to score Reed. Velez would triple to right center to score Tucker and put the winning run at third. Loechle who was 2-for-2 already in the game would double to centerfield scoring the pinch runner
Mimi Carter for the walk-off win.
Erica McMann picks up her fourth win of the season for the Golden Eagles.
Jessica Tucker finished game one 2-for-3 with a double, three runs, one RBI, and a walk as
Madison Loechle goes 3-for-3 with four RBIs, a double, and a walk.
Game 2: Asbury 16 - Spalding 6
Despite scoring three in the first inning, the Golden Eagles offense would sputter and cease throughout the game. Asbury would score six runs in the top of the third as they take advantage of missed pitches. Spalding would earn one back in the third as the Asbury defense make error after error. AU would score six more in the top of the fourth to give them the 12-4 lead.
Grayce Marcum would hit a two-run blast over the centerfield fence to avoid the run-rule for the Eagles. Asbury would continue to hit as the rain plays an impact on the defense. AU would add four more to their lead in the top of the fifth. The Eagles would take game two of the double header in five innings with a score of 16-6.
Bella Velez picks up her fourth loss of the season extending her record to 1-4 on the year.
Grayce Marcum was 2-for-3 with two runs, a homerun, and two RBIs as Velez hits 2-for-3 with an RBI. Loechle would go 1-for-2 with a double, a run, and an RBI.
Up next, the Golden Eagles will take on the visiting Beavers of Blackburn College on Sunday, March 27
th with the first pitch at 12:00 pm ET at the Spalding Athletic Complex.