LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Spalding Golden Eagles rallied for three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to jolt the Westminster Blue Jays in the second game and complete a sweep of Sunday's SLIAC doubleheader.
Westminster College was blanked on just four hits in the opener. The sweep stopped a five-game winning streak for the Blue Jays, who slipped to 8-5 on the season and 3-2 in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
Spalding University (14-7, 4-1) scored a run in the first in the nightcap, but Westminster countered with freshman left fielder Will Stonecipher's two run single in the top of the second to go in front. The Blue Jays then made it 3-1 in the sixth on junior second baseman Blake Strebler's RBI double.
Westminster was able to protect that lead until the Golden Eagles crafted their comeback in the ninth.
Senior right fielder Tanner Branneky finished 2-for-4 with a run scored as the Blue Jays were limited to five hits. Stonecipher was 1-for-3 and Strebler 1-for-4, while senior designated hitter Ryan Gvillo went 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored.
Freshman starter Sam Huesgen took the complete-game loss for Westminster. Huesgen (3-2) gave up four runs - only one earned - on seven hits, struck out eight and issued two walks.
Spalding scored a run in the third, two in the fourth and three in the sixth to shut out the Blue Jays in the first game.
Stonecipher finished 2-for-3 and Branneky and junior center fielder Nick Bohlmann were both 1-for-3 to account for Westminster's hits.
Sophomore starter Alex Dickneite went the distance in suffering his first loss of the season for the Blue Jays. Dickneite (2-1) gave up six runs - only three earned - on 11 hits, struck out four and walked one.
Westminster returns home for a SLIAC doubleheader against Greenville (Illinois) College at 1 p.m. Saturday.