Blackburn Softball lost a doubleheader to Spalding University on Friday afternoon. The Beavers lost game one by a final score of 7-2, and game two by a final score of _ - _.

Spalding wasted no time in game one, as they plated five runs in the top of the first inning. A leadoff walk, followed by a triple to right center gave Spalding a 1-0 lead. After a follow up walk, there were runners on first and third. Spalding's Bella Velez doubled to score both runs, giving the Golden Eagles a comfortable 3-0 lead. Another triple later in the inning led to another RBI for Spalding. Kaleigh Franklin-Brooks was then able to score on a wild pitch, giving Spalding their 5-0 first inning lead.

Blackburn generated offensive momentum in the bottom half of the first but would only manage to plate two runs. After two outs were recorded, Grace Mackey walked. McKenzie Smith followed this up with a double to left center, scoring Mackey. Zoe Mitchell kept the line rolling, as she followed Smith's double with a double of her own, scoring Smith and closing the scoring gap to 5-2. However, Spalding would not let the Beavers score again for the rest of the game.

The Golden Eagles added to their run total in the top of the fifth, when they plated another two runs. After an out, Spalding drew a walk, and then Kaleigh Franklin-Brooks doubled to right center. With runners on second and third, Jenni Beasley scored both runs with a single to right field, making the score 7-2. Spalding shut down the Beavers for the remainder of the game on defense.

Michaela Ferman took the win on the mound for Spalding, while Julianna Tabian took the loss on the mound for Blackburn.

Spalding kept the momentum heading into game two. A pair of errors from Blackburn allowed Spalding to score on the first play of the game, giving them a 1-0 lead in the first. They plated another run in the inning, giving them a comfortable 2-0 lead heading to the bottom half of the first. They successfully kept Blackburn off the scoreboard in the bottom of the first inning.

The Golden Eagles added two more runs in the top of the second, which was followed by Blackburn scoring two runs in the bottom half of the second. Madi Fry was hit by a pitch, followed by a single from Holly Heuerman. Miley Kwiatkowski bunted them over, and then Breana Allen scored Fry on an RBI groundout. Chelsea Ashlock followed up with a single that scored Heuerman, making the score 4-2.

Spalding hit the gas pedal in the top of the third, plating four runs on consecutive hits throughout the inning. Heading into the bottom of the third, Spalding had a relaxing 8-2 lead over the Beavers.

Blackburn managed to load the bases in the bottom of the fourth inning with just one out and were threatening to close the scoring gap with the Golden Eagles. After the Golden Eagles recorded the second out, McKenzie Smith singled to left, scoring two runs for the Beavers, and closing the gap to 8-4.

Spalding scored another three runs in the top of the fifth, and then held the Beavers scoreless in the bottom half of the fifth. The Golden Eagles led off the top of the sixth inning with a solo home run from Bella Velez, which gave Spalding an extended lead of 12-4. After recording two outs, the Beavers were in a jam trying to avoid the run rule, as Spalding had runners on second and third. Jesse Tomson was able to get a strikeout to keep the Beavers in the game.

Blackburn loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth as Zoe Mitchell stepped to the plate. With one out on the board, she singled to right field to score a run. A SAC fly from Madi Fry scored another run, and the Beavers were down 12-6 with two outs in the inning. Holly Heuerman singled to center field to score yet another run, however Mitchell was thrown out from center field trying to score, and the Beavers headed to the top of the seventh down 12-7.

Spalding manufactured a couple more runs in the top of the seventh, thanks to a triple from Spalding's Grayce Marcum, and RBI groundout from Bella Velez. The Golden Eagles led 14-7 going into the bottom of the seventh.

The Beavers were unable to generate any offense in the bottom half of the seventh and lost the game 14-7.

Erica McCann took the win for Spalding on the mound, while Jesse Tomson took the loss for the Beavers.

Blackburn will turn around and play another doubleheader tomorrow at Fontbonne. Game one is set to begin at 12:00 p.m.