Softball downed twice at Spalding

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The softball team opened up conference play with two losses against Spalding. Greenville lost the first game 5-1 and was short-gamed 10-2 in six innings in the second. 

In game one, the Panthers had a 1-0 lead after the first inning and kept the Golden Eagles at bay until the bottom of the fifth when they tied it up. Spalding added four runs in the bottom of the sixth, and GU was unable to make a comeback in the seventh. 

Greenville collected seven hits in game one, including Natalee Moore's RBI single in the first inning. She singled up the middle, allowing Madi Case to score. Moore went 3-for-3 at the plate with one walk.

Sydnee Garrett threw for the Panthers, facing 29 batters. She allowed eight hits and one walk but only had one earned run. 

Game two started similarly for Greenville with a 1-0 lead after the first inning. However, Spalding scored earlier in the bottom of the second and added six more runs in the third inning. The Panthers added one more run in the top of the fifth, making it 7-2, but it was no match for Spalding's response of three runs in the sixth to end the game. 

The Panthers scored two runs on only three hits. Josie Grunloh, Emma Williams, and Jayden Zamora accounted for the three hits. Grunloh went 1-for-2 with a walk, one run, and a stolen base. 

Case also had a notable offensive performance in game two. She had a sac bunt in the top of the third, and in the fifth inning, she hit a sacrifice fly to center field to score GU's second run.

Valerie Greenley started in the circle for Greenville and pitched 2.1 innings. She allowed six earned runs and three walks. Melissa Bernal relieved Greenley in the third inning, allowing two earned runs and two walks. Greenley was given the loss.

The Panthers (15-5, 0-2 SLIAC) play North Central (Ill.) at 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. on Monday.