LOUISVILLE, Ky. - For the second week in a row, Spalding softball won back-to-back St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) doubleheaders.

The Golden Eagles defeated Webster 8-4 and 6-4 on Saturday and Westminster 19-3 and 8-1 on Sunday. After those contests, Spalding moved to 20-8 overall and remained the top team in the SLIAC with a 9-1 record.

GAME ONE - SPALDING 8, WEBSTER 4

In the first game of the weekend slate, the first set of runs for either team wasn't scored until the top of the second inning.

The Gorlocks put up two in the frame before the Golden Eagles answered back. Kaleigh Franklin-Brooks hit a lead off single through the right side. She then proceeded to steal both second and third to put herself into scoring position. Then Jenni Beasley got onto the first off of a fielders choice before stealing second. After back-to-back outs, Dawn Wilson reached first off of a fielders error by the third baseman, that allowed Franklin-Brooks to reach home for an unearned run. Beasley soon followed suit and scored on a fielding error when Wilson stole second base.

Bianca Ward hit a lead off home run to start an impressive fourth inning for Spalding. Karlee Terral was at bat next and hit a double which was followed by a two RBI double from Grayce Marcum. An out later and Bella Velez singled through the left side to score Marcum

Webster made a quick response after Spalding's advancements in the fourth inning. The visitors scored two runs in the top of the fifth.

The Golden Eagles sealed the win in the bottom of the sixth. Marcum lead Spalding and got on base with a single to third base. Jessica Tucker brought her teammate home with a two-run home run to right field. This secured the 8-4 win.

GAME TWO, SPALDING 6, WEBSTER 4

The second game proved to be the closest of the series with the Gorlocks.

After being behind 1-0 for two and a half innings, the Golden Eagles got on the board in the bottom of the third. Terral nabbed a single straight up the middle to get on base. With a sacrifice out by Wilson, Terral got into scoring position at second. Marcum would be the one that brought Terral home when she had an RBI double down the left field line.

The Gorlocks took the lead again in the top of the fourth with one run scoring. Spalding answered back in a big way in the fifth.

After a strike out, the bases got loaded for SU by a Wilson single towards the shortstop, Marcum reaching by an error by the second baseman, and a walk from Tucker. All three were brought home by a three RBI double down the left field line by Velez. A Madison Loechle walk and a Hayleigh Gnagie single to left field loaded the bases for the second time in the inning. A single out to left field by Brooklynn Nolot sent Beasley home. Soon after, Loechle made her way home from a single from Franklin-Brooks. The Golden Eagles secured the lead, 6-2 by the end of the inning.

Webster made one final push to catch up to the Golden Eagles. The Gorlocks made up two runs during the top of the seventh, but the comeback fell short. The Golden Eagles won 6-4 to sweep the series.

GAME THREE - SPALDING 19, WESTMINSTER 3

Spalding started the second day off strong by setting a strong presence from the start. Coming to the plate facing two outs in the first, Tucker triple towards the center field to start the drive. Velez nabbed herself an inside the park homerun, to send herself and Tucker home. The last run of the inning came from Loechle after she hit a triple then made it home after a fielding error from the shortstop. 

During the very next inning, Spalding kept the pressure on Westminster. Wilson made it to first off of a single then stole second. After Marcum hit a sacrifice fly ball, Wilson made it to third, then home off of a wild pitch. Tucker followed Wilson's lead with a single then a stolen base at second. Tucker was sent home by a RBI single from Velez. Loechle joined Velez on base after a single that went up the middle. They were both sent to home off of a two RBI single by Gnagie. She reached home soon after from a fielders error by the Blue Jays first basemen. With the bases loaded, a Wilson walk sent Beasley back to the plate. Two RBI ended the inning for Spalding. Zoe Facenda and Karlee Terral were both sent home from two separate RBI singles. They were from Marcum and Tucker respectively. After the second inning Spalding lead the way with 8-0, which put the run-rule in effect.

The last inning of the game was similar to the second. Terral and Brooklynn were the first ones to be brought home both by two separate RBI by Nolot and Marcum respectively. Loechle hit a sacrifice out in order to send Marcum back to the plate. Then a RBI triple from Gnagie sent Tucker home. Then Franlkin-Brooks nabbed a two RBI double that sent down the left field line to send Kori Calvert and Gnagie back to the plate. The final run of the game came from Bianca Ward. She made it back to the plate off of a ground out for Nolot by the third basemen.

The home team won 19-3 in a five-inning run-ruled contest.

GAME FOUR - SPALDING 8, WESTMINSTER 1

For game two, the Blue Jays started the momentum early with one run coming across in the first inning.

Wilson led off for the Golden Eagles in the bottom of the first to start the momentum for the home team with a double to left field. Marcum sent Wilson home after she nabbed a RBI triple for herself. Tucker made sure to send Marcum home after a she hit an RBI single out towards the right field. Spalding regained the lead at 2-1 by the end of the first.

The Golden Eagles continued to push through Westminster's defense in the bottom of the second. Terral lead off with a walk then advanced throughout with help from Wilson and a sacrifice fly by Marcum. Terral made it home with help from a RBI single from Tucker. A sacrifice out by Velez brought Wilson home. Loechle helped round out the inning when she nabbed a RBI double that sent Tucker home, with a 5-1 lead.

In the bottom of the sixth Spalding secured the win. Velez made it to first off of a single down the left field line. She wouldn't stay on base for long with Beasley coming in to pinch run. Beasley would soon be sent home by a RBI double from Loechle. A Franklin-Brooks walk set up Spalding well because a two RBI double from Nolot, sent both Loechle and Franklin-Brooks home to secure the win, with the final score of 8-1.

GOLDEN EAGLE NOTES:

• In the first game against Webster, Grayce Marcum led the charge by going 3-for-4 at the plate. Jessica Tucker joined Marcum in earning two RBI each.
• In the second Webster game, Tucker was 2-for-3 at the plate. Bella Velez lead Spalding in RBI with three.
• In the first game against Westminster, both Tucker and Hayleigh Gnagie was perfect at the plate going 3-for-3. Gnagie lead the team in RBI with four by the end of the game. 
• In the second Westminster game, Madison Loechle was perfect at the plate being 3-for-3. Tucker and Brooklynn Nolot lead the team in RBI with two each.
• Michaela Ferman won the first game against the Gorlocks. She pitched all seven innings, and allowed four earned runs while striking out four.
• Erica McMann ended up as the winner of the second Webster game while Bella Velez picked up the save. They each allowed just two earned runs apiece with each striking out one batter.
• Velez was the winner in the first game against the Blue Jays. She played the full five innings and allowed just two earned runs.
• Ferman won the second game. During seven innings in the circle, she allowed one earned run and nabbed four strikeouts.

UP NEXT FOR SPALDING:

The Golden Eagles are back at home in pursuit of another back-to-back SLIAC doubleheader sweep. They play the Beavers of Blackburn Friday, April 28 at 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. before hosting the Red Devils of Eureka on Senior Day on Saturday, April 29 at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.