LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Greenville softball won the SLIAC tournament title for the third year in a row by responding in championship fashion Saturday evening. The Panthers rallied past Spalding for an exciting 8-7 victory in the if-needed championship game after falling to the Golden Eagles in the first game of the day.
How it Happened:
In the opener, Spalding used a late offensive surge to hand Greenville an 11-2, 5-inning defeat.
Ashlyn Colvis drove in both Panther runs, while
Sadie Ziegler led the team with two hits. Greenville battled through four competitive innings before Spalding broke the game open with a nine-run fifth inning.
The Panthers quickly regrouped for the winner-take-all championship game and delivered one of their most resilient performances of the season. Greenville answered every Spalding rally and erased a 7-4 deficit with a huge sixth inning.
Rylee Bloomer delivered the key hit, driving in two runs with a clutch single to center, before Colvis tied the game with an RBI groundout.
With the score tied entering the seventh, Greenville completed the comeback when pinch hitter
Emerald Watson had a walk-off RBI single up the middle to score the winning run.
Earlier in the game,
Kelsey Martlage launched a solo home run, while
Anna Cox finished with two hits and two RBIs.
Makenna Budde added two hits and an RBI, and
Emma Longcor scored twice while reaching base three times.
Sarah Salas earned the complete-game victory, helping seal a memorable championship win for the Panthers.
Salas, Budde, and Colvis were named on the All-Tournament with Salas picking up MVP honors.Â
Up Next:
The Panthers (31-11) advance to the NCAA Tournament with this win, finding out their opponent and host site on Monday during the selection show. Tune in at 10:00 a.m. on ncaa.com to find out where the Panthers are going!Â
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