LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Yesterday was a thrilling day for the Spalding University softball team as they swept their doubleheader at Legacy Field, highlighted by a dramatic extra-innings walk-off win and a come-from-behind victory.
Game 1: Spalding 10, Blackburn 9 (10 Innings)
In an absolute marathon that lasted over two hours and went deep into extra innings, the Golden Eagles edged out Blackburn in a 10-9 thriller.
Spalding jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning thanks to a two-RBI single from
Kaleigh Franklin-Brooks. However, the Beavers clawed back, eventually erupting for four runs in the top of the fourth to take a 6-2 lead. The Golden Eagles responded immediately in the bottom half of the frame, putting up five runs of their own—highlighted by RBI singles from
Riley Wilkins and
Carsyn Sidebottom—to retake a 7-6 lead.
The seesaw battle continued into the late innings. Blackburn tied the game in the seventh and then surged ahead 9-7 in the top of the ninth. Facing defeat, Spalding rallied in the bottom of the ninth, scoring two runs on an
Emma Eaton RBI single and a Blackburn error to force a tenth inning.
In the bottom of the tenth,
Bianca Ward became the hero, lining a walk-off RBI double down the right-field line to score Franklin-Brooks and secure the victory.
Riley Wilkins earned the win in relief, throwing six strong innings and allowing only three runs while striking out one.
Game 2: Spalding 8, Westminster 5
The momentum from the first game carried over into the nightcap, as Spalding overcame an early four-run deficit to defeat Westminster 8-5.
Westminster took control early, using a four-run fourth inning to build a 5-1 lead. But the Golden Eagles' offense refused to go quiet. After cutting the lead to 5-3 in the fourth, Spalding broke the game open with a massive five-run fifth inning.
The rally was sparked by
Emma Eaton, who tied the game with a clutch two-RBI single up the middle.
Carsyn Sidebottom followed with an RBI single to give Spalding the lead, and the Golden Eagles added two more runs via a Westminster error and a perfectly placed bunt single by
Riley Beckmann.
On the mound,
Kaylee Fitzner picked up her ninth win of the season, while
Riley Wilkins returned to the circle to provide three dominant innings of hitless relief to shut the door. Eaton finished the game 2-for-4 with two RBIs, while Sidebottom also added two hits and an RBI in the win.
Next Up:
The Golden Eagles look to keep the momentum rolling as they head into the SLIAC Championship today, May 9th.
