Box Score LEXINGTON, Ky. - The Spalding University baseball team earned a tight road victory over Transylvania University on March 10, edging the Pioneers 3–2 in a pitcher's duel at Legends Field in Lexington, Kentucky. Both teams entered the contest with identical 5–5 records, but a late RBI and strong bullpen performance helped the Golden Eagles secure the win.
Transylvania struck first in the bottom of the second inning when Ethan Dillon launched a solo home run to left field, giving the Pioneers an early 1–0 advantage. Spalding answered in the fifth inning as
West Bickett tied the game with a solo shot down the left-field line, his first home run of the season. The Golden Eagles then took their first lead in the seventh inning when
Cameron Combs delivered an RBI single to right field, scoring
Jesse Walter and making it 2–1.
The Pioneers quickly responded in the bottom half of the seventh when Trevor Watkins hit a solo homer to even the score at 2–2. However, Spalding reclaimed the lead in the eighth inning as
Caleb Coffey grounded out to third base, allowing
AJ Lopez to score what proved to be the game-winning run.
At the plate, Combs led Spalding with two hits and an RBI, while Lopez finished 2-for-3 with a run scored and a stolen base. Bickett added a home run and scored once as the Golden Eagles totaled eight hits in the game.
On the mound,
Holden Caplinger turned in a strong start, allowing just one run over six innings while striking out five.
Will Bastin earned the win after working the seventh inning, and
Noah Godwin closed the door with two scoreless innings to record the save. Transylvania finished with seven hits, highlighted by home runs from Dillon and Watkins.
Spalding's pitching staff held firm in the ninth inning, stranding the tying and go-ahead runners to seal the narrow 3–2 victory.
