Spalding Sweeps Westminster In SLIAC Game of Week Series
The Spalding University baseball team defeated Westminster College, 4-3, in the second game of their doubleheader Saturday at Derby City Field. The win improves the Golden Eagles to a 14-7 overall record, 4-1 in conference play. The loss drops the Blue Jays to an 8-5 overall record, 3-2 in conference play.
Chance Brinley (1-1) picks up the win, while Sam Huesgen (3-2) was hit with the loss. Kyle Olliges started for the Golden Eagles, throwing eight innings of five-hit baseball, surrendering three runs, while striking out eight.
Clay Kelly led the way, going 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored, including a ninth-inning double that tied the game. Matt Harper went 2-for-4 with a run scored. Kam Bruner went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. Dillon Sievert was 1-for-1 with a hit by pitch and the game-winning RBI-single.
The Golden Eagles drew first blood in the bottom of the first inning on a throwing error by Blue Jays catcher A.C. Long. The Blue Jays responded, however, in the top of the second inning on a two-run single by leftfielder Will Stonecipher. The Blue Jays added to their lead in the top of the sixth, as second baseman Blake Strebler doubled to extend the lead to 3-1. Spalding would load the bases in the eighth inning, with a good shot to claw back, but they could not get any runs across. Brinley came into the game in the top of the ninth and held the Blue Jays right where they were. The bottom of the ninth started with a base hit by Bruner, followed by an out, before Harper singled through the left side. Nic Chafin then flied out to bring the Eagles to their last out. Then, down to their last strike of the ballgame with two runners on base in the bottom of the ninth, the Eagles tied the game on a two-run double by Clay Kelly, who would advance to third base on an error. Dillon Sievert came to the plate with Kelly on third looking to end it and he did just that, as he singled over the head of the second baseman for the game-winning RBI single.
The Golden Eagle Nine will be back in action on Wednesday, March 29th, as they travel to Crestview Hills, Kentucky to take on Thomas More College. First pitch is slated for 4 pm EST.
GAME ONE RECAP (Spalding 6, Westminster 0)
