LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The W softball team split its doubleheader with St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) co-leader Spalding University at Legacy Field. The Owls (21-13, 11-3 SLIAC) won the first game, 2-1, before falling to the Golden Eagles (16-16, 12-2 SLIAC), 11-9, in game two.
 
With four games remaining in the regular season, Spalding and Greenville are tied for first place in the standings. MUW sits in third, one game behind the co-leaders.
 
The W found itself in a good position after taking the first game of the twinbill versus SU. The Owls would score their entire game's run production in the second inning. With one out, Maiya Joe drew a walk. Kaitlyn Bearley then laid down what was supposed to be a sacrifice bunt, but instead rolled through the pitching circle as a trio of Golden Eagles watched and waited for the other to field the ball. Taylor Palmer sacrificed both runners into scoring position, with Chloe McClain due up.
 
With two out, McClain wasted no time by ripping a single to right-enter field that plated both Joe and Bearley to give The W the 2-0 lead.
 
Starting pitcher Brooklyn Rhodes got plenty of help from MUW on defense, as well. In the first inning, shortstop Riley Phillips threw out a runner at home who tried to score from third on an infield grounder. In the second inning, center fielder Anna Sandlin made a diving catch, while second baseman Palmer chipped in an over-the-shoulder grab running toward right field in the third.
 
While Rhodes wasn't overpowering, the freshman did enough to keep the Golden Eagles at bay, scattering eight hits over her 5.0 innings of work and improving her personal record to 9-2. Senior Bailey McClellan threw two scoreless and hitless innings of relief to earn he team-leading fourth save of the season.
 
The Owls collected five hits in the game, all singles. Senior Lilly Harrison went 2-for-2 batting in the No. 9 position.
 
 MUW looked on track for a possible second win of the day in game two, leading 7-3 after the top of the fourth. But Spalding came back with three in its half of the fourth to make it 7-6, before taking the lead for good with another three in the fifth and two more in the sixth. MUW made it closer with single runs in the sixth and seventh frames.
 
MUW collected nine hits in game two, led by Rhodes. Rhodes, the designated player, went 2-for-5, with a double and 3 RBI. She scored once and walked once.
 
Bearley was the only other Owl with multiple hits, going 2-for-3, with a walk and RBI.
 
Riley Phillips went 1-or-4, but had a pair of RBI thanks to a bases-loaded walk in the fourth and a run-scoring double in the seventh. Leadoff batter Emilee Slade was 1-for-3, but drew two walks, drove in a run, and scored twice.
 
Reliever Phallyn Clark (4-4) – The W's third of four pitchers- was charged with the loss.