The Webster University softball team had two hard-fought wins over Spalding University, at they defeated the Golden Eagles, 7-5 and 4-3 (8 inn), on April 17 at Blackburn Park. Webster had two more quality starts and the offense came through as the team extended its winning streak to eight, its longest since winning 11 in a row in 2011.

After a rocky start in the sixth, with Webster leading, 6-1, Gorlok starter Chelsea Thornley (SO, Clinton, MO/Clinton HS) gave way to Paige Prather (SR, Evansville, IN/Evansville Central HS).  Thornley had given up a two-run homer to make it a 6-3 game, and left two runners on with one out.  Prather got the second out but an error by Prather, and a double, made it a 6-5 lead with the tying and go-ahead runs at second and third.

Alexis Spriggs (JR, Scott City, MO/Scott City HS) was summoned from the bullpen and got the final out on a diving play in the hole at short by Carol Ann Weiler (SO, St. Peter's, MO/Ft. Zumwalt East HS).  Weiler recovered in time to throw a strike to just nip the batter at first.  Spriggs threw a scoreless seventh for her second save of the season.  Thornley earned her fourth win of the year, going 5 1/3 innings, giving up nine hits and five runs, but only two earned, and striking out six. 

A Sidney Coleman (JR, Fredericksburg, VA/Fountain-Ft. Carson HS) double scored Kate Sullens (JR, Highland, IL/Highland HS), who had singled, for a 1-0 lead in the first.  After the Golden Eagles had plated a run in the top of the fourth, the Gorloks came right back with a run of their own.  Singles by Erin McGinnis (SR, Fenton, MO/Rockwood Summit HS) and Kayla Day (JR, Caruthers, CA/Caruthers HS) and a sac fly by Kaylyn DeCock (SR, Bettendorf, IA/Bettendorf HS) made it a 2-1 lead.

The Gorloks seemed to have broken the game open with a four-run fifth.  Coleman reached on an error on a fielder's choice with the bases loaded as Sullens and Katelyn Johnson (JR, Cambridge, IL/Woodstock HS), who had doubled earlier, scored.  A single by Tessa Johanning (SO, Sullivan, MO/Sullivan HS) scored Weiler, and a McGinnis double scored Coleman to make it 6-1.

After the Spalding four-run sixth, Webster would add an insurance run in the bottom half on singles by Sullens, Johnson, and an RBI single by Coleman for the 7-5 final.

Coleman was 2-4 with three RBIs and a double.  McGinnis was 2-3 with a double, RBI, and run scored.  Sullens was 2-3 with three runs and reached on a hit by pitch, and Johnson was 2-3 with a double and run scored.

In game two, after falling behind, 3-2, in the eighth inning, Webster rallied for two runs in its half.  Sullens was placed at second base to start the inning and took third on a bunt single by Johnson.  A ground out by Weiler scored Sullens to tie it up at 3-3.  Coleman flied out to center as Johnson took third.  With two down, Johanning hit a soft grounder that the Spalding first baseman mishandled as Johnson crossed the plate with the game winner.

Spriggs started and went all eight innings for Webster.  She had only given up two runs through seven, until the Spalding runner placed at second scored on a single in the eighth.  Spriggs gave up nine hits and two earned runs, walking none while earning her team-high fifth win. 

Spalding had scored two runs in the top of the first to take a 2-0 lead.  Webster got one back in the third on singles by Chyanne Fulmer (FR, DeSoto, IL/Carbondale HS), Emily Kolisch (JR, St. Louis, MO/Incarnate Word Academy), and Sullens loaded the bases.  A Johnson ground out sent home Fulmer to make it 2-1.

The Gorloks tied it in the fifth when Sullens doubled to lead off, advance on a ground out, and scored on a ground out by Weiler.  That would be all the scoring until the extra frame.

Sullens was 2-4 with a double and two runs scored.  Sullens is now batting an eye-popping .467 on the season.  Weiler was 1-4 with two RBIs, and Johnson was 1-4 with an RBI and run scored.

Webster improved to 8-6 in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and had edged up to fifth place in the league.  The Gorloks are 13-15 overall with the eight straight wins.  Webster's home schedule is now concluded with its final ten scheduled games on the road.  Next up is a doubleheader at Robert Morris College in Springfield, IL, on April 20.