WHITEWATER, Wis. - Spalding led for three and a half innings in the program's first NCAA Tournament contest before No. 1 seed University of Wisconsin-Whitewater won the game in walk-off fashion 2-1.

The Golden Eagles move to the elimination bracket of the region.

TURNING POINT
After three scoreless innings, Spalding was the first to bring a run home.

Jessica Tucker walked off to lead off the top of the fourth. Bella Velez followed that up with a single through the right side to place runners on first and second. Another single directly followed thanks to a Hayleigh Gnagie hit up the middle that scored Tucker.

In the bottom of the seventh, a walk and two singles from the Warhawks tied the contest up at 1-1. The next UWW batter hit a ball that looked like it was going to be an out, but the ball hit the second baseman's glove and then fell out to allow the winning run to come home on the error.

The Golden Eagles fell 2-1 forcing the team into the elimination bracket. 

GOLDEN EAGLE NOTES

• Bella Velez led Spalding with two hits on three attempts.
• Hayleigh Gnagie had the only RBI for the Golden Eagles in the contest.
• Brooklynn Nolot also had a single hit.
• Michaela Ferman got the start and pitched the full game. She struck out two and allowed just one earned run on five hits.

NEXT FOR SPALDING
Spalding faces Transylvania University in a win-or-go-home NCAA Tournament game tomorrow. First pitch from van Steenderen Softball Complex is set for 2:30 p.m.