Spalding Softball Opens up Their Season on Road

                The Spalding softball team took to the road this week to open up their season at Virginia Wesleyan University. There they took on the host school in a double header as well as Randolph College out of Lynchburg, VA in a double header. The first two of the four game set did not go well for Spalding as they dropped both games by scores of 6-1 and 13-1 respectively.  The first game saw a surge of hitting from the Golden Eagles as they scratched out 9 hits led by second basemen Cassie Burke who recorded 3 of her own. However, the team could not capitalize on those hits as they stranded 7 runners. The second game saw the bats silenced as Spalding was only able to collect 3 hits in the defeat. “This was the first time all of our girls were together,” Coach Williams stated. “Virginia Wesleyan is a great program and we knew that coming in.”

                With games 1 & 2 far behind the team, the bats once again came to life as they collected a season high 16 hits. However, Randolph College also had much success at the plate recording 14 hits of their own. Going into the last of the ninth inning, Spalding saw themselves down 9-8 on their way to their third straight loss to start the season. However, a late rally and some last inning heroics changed the tide for the team and Spalding went on to collect their first win with a 10-9 victory. The two stars of the game were Sarah Goff who was 3-5 with a homerun and 4 runs batted in as well as catcher, Melissa Gagel who went 4-4 with a double and 3 rbi’s. Liz Schooler came away with the victory on the mound as she went 1 inning in relief striking out one. “We can really hit, that will not be a problem,” Coach Williams commented. “I think our offense will really carry us moving forward.”

                Game two started off much different then game 1 ended. This time it was Randolph College who put on the hitting display as they scored 7 runs in the first inning. However, the Golden Eagles did not go away quietly. Behind great pitching from Rena Philpot the Golden Eagles were able to scratch their way back into the game. The team scored 4 runs in the 5th inning to cut the lead in half. They scored another in the 6th to make it 7-5. However, another last inning rally was not in the cards for the team as they dropped the second game 7-6. “The girls played hard but it was difficult climbing out of the hole we put ourselves in. We just need to cut down on the free passes we are giving up on the mound.”

                The team will be back in action this weekend as they take on St. Mary of the Woods this Saturday at 1:00pm.