EUREKA, Ill. – The Spalding University softball team clinched the #1 spot in the East division to secure a first-round bye into the SLIAC Tournament after winning a pair of games against Eureka on the road. The Golden Eagles extend their win streak to five straight as they extend their record to 20-14 overall and 13-5 in conference.
 
Game 1: Spalding 15 Eureka 4
The Golden Eagles would come out swinging for the fences as they put up an eight-run second inning to start. Bella Velez would get the rally started as she singled through the left side. Allison Nell would then hit a double to right center scoring Madison Loechle who reached on a fielder's choice. With a one-run advantage, Miranda Thomas extended the Golden Eagle lead to three with her dingle down the rightfield line. Grayce Marcum would hit a two-out double to left center to score Rylee Phillips, who reached on a walk, and Thomas. Jessica Tucker would get herself an RBI as she scores Marcum from third on her single down the line. In Velez's second at-bat of the inning, she would double to left field to score Tucker from second to give Spalding the 7-0 lead. Velez would score on the Loechle single as the Golden Eagles go up 8-0. Spalding would take on another seven runs in the top of the third inning to extend the margin of victory up to 15. Eureka would only push four across the plate as Erica McMann throws a complete game for her 11^th win of the season.
 
Grayce Marcum went 2-for-3 in game on with a double, a stolen base, two runs scored, and three RBIs. Bella Velez would go 3-for-4 with two runs scored, an RBI, and a double. Allison Nell, Miranda Thomas, and Kailey Reed each recorded two hits to combine for a total of six runs scored and six RBIs.
 
Game 2: Spalding 13 Eureka 2
Spalding would carry their hitting in game one over to game two as they score four in the first inning. Rylee Phillips would start the offense with a single down the leftfield line. Jessica Tucker would reach on a dropped fly ball by the center fielder that would then score Phillips from second to give Spalding the lead. Madison Loechle would smash a ball over the right center field fence to put Spalding up by four. The hitting wouldn't stop there as the Golden Eagles push four more runs across in the top of the second inning. Grayce Marcum would single to center field to start the inning. Tucker would then walk in her at-bat leaving two runners on base for Bella Velez. Velez would take advantage of the Spalding momentum and hit a three-run shot to left center to give Spalding the 7-0 lead. SU would continue to drive the ball pushing six more runs across to end the game in five innings.
 
Madison Loechle would go a perfect 3-for-3 with a double, a homerun, one run scored, and two RBIs. Grayce Marcum would go 3-for-4 with two runs scored, two RBIs, a double, and a stolen base. Allison Nell would go 2-for-3 with two runs, a double, a stolen base, and a walk.
 
Up next, the Golden Eagles will travel to Carlinville, Ill. to take on the Beavers of Blackburn on Monday, May 2^nd with first pitch at 3:30 pm ET.