Worth the Wait: Spalding Captures Elusive Baseball Title

The wait was worth it for Spalding University. The start of Saturday's championship round was delayed because of weather by two hours and after Spalding forced an if-necessary game by winning 8-1, there was an additional hour-and-a-half weather delay. Similarly, it had been a long wait for the Golden Eagles as they were playing in their fifth SLIAC Championship game, including a fourth straight, and still looking for their first title. But at the end of the night, the Golden Eagles were finally able to hoist the trophy, claiming the 2023 title after a 4-3 win over four-time defending champion Webster University. Spalding becomes just the third team to come through the loser's bracket to win the SLIAC championship, joining Westminster College (1999) and Greenville University (2017). 

Faced with an elimination game to start the day, Spalding scattered 14 hits in an 8-1 win that forced the winner-take-all championship game. Despite the eight runs the Golden Eagles' defense shined, which would be the case for both games on the night. The Golden Eagles turned a total of four double players and one triple play on the day.

In game one the Golden Eagles turned a triple play in the 5th inning, going 5-4-3 to get out of a jam and preserve its 3-0 lead. The Golden Eagles had taken the lead two innings earlier when Jacob Spanyer hit a two-run single and Hunter Strong tacked on an RBI sacrifice fly. Spalding added some insurance runs in the 8th on a two-run triple from Michael Newsom. Webster was able to plate one in the bottom of the 8th but the Golden Eagles got that back and more with three runs in the top of the 9th, securing the victory.

After another lengthy delay, the two teams finally took the field just before 8 p.m. Spalding quickly scored on a Hunter Strong RBI single but the lead was short-lived as the Gorloks responded in the bottom half with a sacrifice fly from R.J. LaRocco that plated Evan Evola. The Gorloks took a lead in the 4th inning Evola doubled in Matt Staker for a 2-1 lead. Gorlok pitcher Alek Elges was rolling along, retiring 15 straight batters up until the 6th inning.

With two outs Golden Eagle catcher Hunter Strong sent the ball soaring over the fence, and stands, in left field not only tying the game up but sparking his team. Cameron Rayborn added to the Golden Eagle's momentum when he shut down a Gorlok threat in the bottom half of the inning. After an error put the lead-off man on Rayborn struck out two batters, sandwiched around a fly out to escape the jam. 

Spalding carried that into the 7th and saw Michael Speck give them the lead on an RBI double. Two batters later Newcom followed with his own double, giving Spalding a 4-2 lead. The Gorloks could not be shaken though and plated a run in the bottom of the 8th to cut the score to 4-3. Webster put the first two batters of the 9th on base and it appeared for a moment the game would be tied when a ball was sent through the left side of the field. However, after a slight bobble, the Golden Eagles stepped up again, executing the relay throw to perfection and nabbing the runner at home plate. The threat was not over as the Gorloks had the winning run on base with one out. But it was SLIAC Pitcher of the Year Caleb Collins on in relief, rising to the occasion, striking out the final two batters, and sending the Golden Eagles to the NCAA Division III Baseball Tournament. 

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