FRANKLIN, In. – The Spalding University softball team traveled to Franklin College on Thursday for a doubleheader that resulted in a split. The Golden Eagles advance to 16-14 on the season and 9-5 in SLIAC play to keep them in the #1 spot in the East.
Game 1: Franklin 7 - Spalding 6
Franklin would take an early four-run lead in the bottom of the first to start off game one. It wasn't until the top of the third inning that Spalding threatened to score.
Rylee Phillips would reach base on an error by the first baseman but would then be thrown out at second on the fielder's choice hit by
Grayce Marcum. Marcum would steal second to position herself to score as
Jessica Tucker walked up to the plate. Tucker would triple to right center field to score Marcum and put SU's first run on the board. With a runner on third,
Bella Velez would hit a stand-up double to left field to cut the lead in half for Spalding. As McMann keeps the Grizzlies quiet offensively, Spalding would tie the score in the top of the fifth inning. Marcum would single to left field to start the rally for the Golden Eagles. Tucker would reach base on her second triple of the game to right center to score Marcum from first. Velez would score Tucker on her single up the middle to tie the score at four. In the top of the seventh,
Dawn Wilson would hit a single to third base and then advance to second on Marcum's single up the middle. Tucker would also single up the middle to load the bases for the Golden Eagles. Velez, with her second double of the game, would score two runs for SU to give them the 6-4 advantage over the Grizzlies. Despite taking the lead, the Grizzlies would push three runs across to win game one in walk-off fashion with a final score of 7-6.
Erica McMann picks up her sixth loss of the season to extend her record to 9-6.
Grayce Marcum goes 2-for-4 in game one with three runs scored and a stolen base as
Jessica Tucker goes a perfect 4-for-4 with two runs scored, two triples, two RBIs and a stolen base.
Bella Velez would also go 3-for-4 with a team leading four RBIs and two doubles.
Game 2: Spalding 6 - Franklin 4
The Golden Eagles would flip the script in game two as
Grayce Marcum would single to third base to start off the inning. As Marcum steals second to put herself into scoring position,
Jessica Tucker would single to right field and move to second on the throw home as Marcum scores the first run of the game.
Kori Calvert would keep the Grizzlies hitless as SU scores three more in the top of the third. Marcum would get her second hit of the game as she singles to left field. A wild pitch would advance her to second as
Dawn Wilson would single to third base on the next pitch, advancing Marcum to third. Tucker would walk to load the bases for
Bella Velez. Velez would single to right field to score Marcum on the hit. With the bases full,
Madison Loechle would send a ball through the right side to score Wilson for a 3-0 Spalding advantage.
Allison Nell would earn an RBI on her ground out to the shortstop to put the Golden Eagles up by four runs. In the top of the fifth, Spalding would push one run across as
Kailey Reed would score Loechle who reached earlier on a single up the middle. As the Golden Eagles have a five-run advantage, the Grizzlies would end up getting one back in the fifth. The Golden Eagles would score an insurance run in the top of the sixth as Marcum singles to left field. Tucker would double to right center to score Marcum on the hit. Although the Grizzlies scoring two in the bottom of the seventh, the SU defense would close out game two with a win, 6-4.
Kori Calvert would extend her record in the circle to 5-3 on the year.
Grayce Marcum would go 3-for-4 with three runs scored and a stolen base as
Dawn Wilson goes 2-for-4 with a run scored.
Jessica Tucker would go 2-for-3 with a walk, an RBI, and a run scored as
Madison Loechle goes 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI.
Up next, the Golden Eagles will face off against conference opponent Principia for Senior Day on Saturday, April 23
rd at home with first pitch as 1 pm ET.
