Spalding Softball Trip Comes to an End

 The Spalding University softball team saw a record-breaking season come to a close in the form of a 7-6 loss to Transylvania University in the 2023 NCAA Tournament.

The Golden Eagles finish the season with a 29-13 record.

TURNING POINT
Madison Loechle hit a lead-off single to open up the win-or-go-home battle of Bluegrass teams. Grayce Marcum came to the plate immediately after and showed off her power with a home run to center field. Spalding had one more hit in the inning, thanks to Jessica Tucker, but ended the frame with a 2-0 lead.

The Pioneers evened up the game in the bottom of the first with an RBI single and a throwing error on the Golden Eagles sending two runs home. They were the last runs that scored before the third inning.

Karlee Terral reached on a fielder's choice that sent Tucker home. Tucker has singled, advanced to second on a ground out, and stole third. A Kaleigh Franklin-Brooks single to right field sent two more Golden Eagles in to build a 5-2 lead.

Transy scored two in the third thanks to a single combined with a throwing error. Spalding answered that run back with a solo homer from Marcum in the top of the fourth. The Pioneers then returned that score with another one of their own on a throwing error by the SU catcher.

The bottom of the sixth is where Transylvania scored the winning runs. A double followed by two walks loaded the bases for the Pioneers, who had two outs from earlier pop and flyouts. A two-RBI single followed and put the Golden Eagle opposition up 7-6.

Jenni Beasley recorded a hit for Spalding in the top of the seventh and Franklin-Brooks was hit by a pitch but they ended up being left on base. The Golden Eagles met the end of the road in a 7-6 loss to Transylvania in the NCAA Tournament.

GOLDEN EAGLE NOTES

• Jessica Tucker was a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate for Spalding.
• Grayce Marcum had a team-leading three RBI for the Golden Eagles. She hit two home runs which was a career-best mark for the sophomore.
• Kaleigh Franklin-Brooks and Karlee Terral also batted runs in. Franklin-Brooks had two RBI while Terral had one.
• Six Spalding batters had at least one hit in the contest.
• Michaela Ferman pitched the full game and struck out three batters. She allowed four earned runs on 12 hits.

NEXT FOR SPALDING
The Golden Eagles finished the year at 29-13 and as 2023 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) Champions. Spalding's NCAA Tournament appearance and SLIAC title were the first in program history. 

STORY COURTESY OF SPALDING UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION