PEORIA, Ill. – The Spalding University softball team beat the number-2 seeded Webster Gorloks, 10-9, in a thrilling SLIAC Tournament opener.
As the Gorloks took the lead early in the first inning 2-0, the Golden Eagles were able to answer back in the bottom of the inning with an RBI single from
Bella Velez that plated
Rylee Phillips. Although the Golden Eagles would cut the lead in half, Webster would blow open the third inning as their offense was able to push four more runs across.
Rylee Phillips would start the SU offense with a single to second base as she would beat out the throw as a speedy
Dawn Wilson would come around to score on the throwing error.
Bella Velez would score Phillips on her single as
Jessica Tucker would score on another Webster error. The Gorloks would tack on to their lead as they take advantage of passed balls. Webster would look to put this game away as they now hold the lead, 9-4.
The Golden Eagles would dig deep and put together a rally as they would score two more runs in the fifth inning to put them within three runs of the lead.
Erica McMann would keep the Gorlok offense at bay in the circle as SU begins their march to victory. With just the bottom of the seventh inning left, the golden Eagles would start their rally with a single from
Grayce Marcum down the leftfield line. As Marcum steals second to get herself into scoring position,
Jessica Tucker would single to the shortstop and advance Marcum to third on the hit. Velez would get her second hit of the day as she singled to center field to score Marcum on the drive.
Madison Loechle would load the bases for Spalding as she reaches base on a single to the shortstop.
Allison Nell would reach base on a fielder's choice as the pitcher would field the groundball and get the force out at home plate to give the Golden Eagles their first out.
Kori Calvert would pinch hit for
Kailey Reed and hit a single to center field to score a run for Spalding. The Golden Eagles would tie the score at nine on Miranda Thomas' single to the outfield to score Loechle from third.
Dawn Wilson would drive in the game winning run for Spalding as she drives a ball into the turf leaving the Webster pitcher no time to get the out at home. SU would walk away with the semifinal win in walk-off fashion, 10-9.
Bella Velez would go a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate with a double, a stolen base, and 4 RBIs while
Madison Loechle goes 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI.
Erica McMann pitches a complete game for the Golden Eagles and extends her record to 13-6 on the year.
Up next, the Golden Eagles will take on the #1 seed Fontbonne on Friday, May 6
th for the SLIAC Championship with first pitch at 3:30 pm ET.
