LOUISVILLE, Ky. - In a high-stakes SLIAC series this past weekend (April 25–26, 2026) at Derby City Field, Spalding University staged two massive late-game rallies to take two out of three games from Webster University.
The series lived up to its billing as a battle between the conference's top two teams, featuring extra innings, multiple home runs, and a dramatic walk-off finish.
Game 1: Webster 7, Spalding 4 (11 Innings)
The opener set the tone for a gritty weekend. Webster utilized the long ball early, with Nick Wrubluski and Reid Hietpas both launching solo home runs to center field in the 4th inning.
Spalding refused to go quietly, clawing back to tie the game 4-4 in the bottom of the 9th thanks to a clutch RBI single by
Brayden Caldemeyer. However, the "Gorloks" regained their composure in the 11th. Talan Hutchings and James Theodore delivered RBI singles to secure the extra-inning victory for Webster.
Game 2: Spalding 7, Webster 5
Webster's Ethan Wielt put on a power display with two home runs, but it wasn't enough to overcome a relentless 8th-inning surge by the Golden Eagles.
Trailing 4-2 in the 8th, Spalding exploded for five runs. The rally was ignited by
Joshua Wilmot's RBI single and capped off by a go-ahead
Eli Nutter two-run single and an Aj Lopez RBI double. Despite Wielt's second homer in the 9th,
Andrew Harbison shut the door to earn the save.
Game 3: Spalding 5, Webster 4
The series finale on Sunday provided the most dramatic finish of all. Webster appeared to have the game in hand, leading 4-1 entering the bottom of the 9th. Adam Moser had provided the early spark for Webster with a two-run homer in the 1st.
Spalding's "never-say-die" attitude surfaced again in their final at-bat: Aj Lopez cracked an RBI double to cut the lead to 4-2.
Jesse Walter followed with a massive two-run double down the right-field line to tie the game at 4-4.
Nolan Faulkner completed the comeback with a walk-off RBI single to left, scoring Caldemeyer and clinching the series for the Golden Eagles.
Series Takeaways
With the series win, Spalding moves to 17-4 in the SLIAC, narrowing the gap on first-place Webster (18-3).
