LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Mississippi University for Women's softball team posted a pair of marquee victories on Saturday, sweeping a road doubleheader from Spalding University by scores of 13-7 and 8-7. The Owls improved to 14-6 on the season, while the Golden Eagles fell to 9-5
Entering the day, Spalding had the most victories among any team in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC), with nine. MUW will be joining the SLIAC next season, after completing its Year Three provisional status in 2022-23. The W is, currently, 5-0 versus SLAIC members in 2023.
"I was extremely happy with our offensive approach today against two quality pitchers," The W Head Coach
Buddy Foster said. "We hit the ball hard all day. When we focus on quality at-bats, our results are really good. Several players had multi-hit games, but the middle of our lineup I would match up against anyone."
How good were the Owls' bats versus SU? Well, the Golden Eagles entered the twinbill with a SLIAC-best 2.28 earned run average as a team. In the pair of games, MUW pummeled Spalding for 15 earned runs in the combined 14 innings of play.
In game one, MUW built an early 5-0 advantage thanks to a four-run third.
Madison Crosby's two-run double and
Riley Phillips' 2-3, 3 runs, 3 RBI) RBI single, preceded a sacrifice fly off the bat of
Alysa Newman (1-4). But Spalding remained close and got to within a single run, 6-5, after four frames, and was down 9-7, through six.
But in the top of the seventh, the Owls created some needed separation. Adding four runs to their coffers. The key hits were RBI singles from Crosby and
Maiya Joe (1-4).
Crosby and pitcher
Rylie Grisham each went 3-for-4 with the bat. Crosby had a double and scored twice, while driving in three. Grisham also had one ribbie.
Grisham improved her personal record to 6-1 in the circle, notching her fifth complete game. She walked three and struck out three, as well.
In the second game, MUW needed some mid and late-inning heroics. Down 4-1 after three full innings, the Owls plated three runs each in the fourth and fifth innings. In the fourth,
Maddy Suggs' two-run double was key. The fifth was sparked by an RBI double from Phillips, followed by an RBI single to left from Grisham and a sacrifice fly by Newman.
However, two runs by Spalding in its half of the sixth knotted the game at 7-7 heading into the final at-bats of regulation for both teams.
Phillips hit a sharp single to left-center field to lead off and, with Grisham at bat, promptly stole second. After Grisham struck out, Newman singled with Phillips advancing to third. Joe then lifted a sacrifice fly to center that brought home Phillips with the would-be deciding run.
With junior reliever
Bailey McClellan entering her fourth inning of relief in the bottom of the seventh, Spalding got a pair of singles after the first out was recorded. A sacrifice bunt advanced to go-ahead runs into scoring position with two down. But McClellan struck out pinch-hitter Kori Calvert to improve her personal record to 3-2 on the year.
Phillips went 4-for-4 with four RBI in game two.
Emilee Slade and
Jaelynn Palmer each collected a pair of hits in the win.
The W will remain in the Bluegrass State for a doubleheader at Transylvania University on Sunday (1 p.m. CT).
