(Chandler, Ariz.) – The Webster Gorloks concluded its trip to Arizona with a 3-0 loss to Simpson College on Thursday morning at the Greater Phoenix Invitational in Chandler, Ariz.

    The Gorloks (0-7) Eric McKinley and Simpson’s (5-3) Jared Sass were locked into a classic pitching duel through the first five innings. McKinley held the Storm without a hit until the fifth inning but hit two batters and walked two more Webster’s defense however made some key plays to keep it scoreless through five. Sass was even better though allowing just a single in the fourth.

    SC jumped on top in the sixth inning with runners on the corner and one out Dave Johnson hit what appeared to be an inning ending double play ball to short but Nathan Shelton’s relay throw to first was short getting away from Greg Steen allowing the run to score. The Gorloks came right back with a lead-off single from Wes Hilliard but were unable to move him around to tie the game. The Storm came back with a pair of runs in the top of the seventh on a double play and a throwing error by catcher John Combs to make it 3-0.
WU made things interesting in the bottom of the ninth getting a pair of runners with one out but Steen grounded into a double play to the third baseman on a 3-2 pitch ending the game.

    McKinley threw eight solid innings allowing three runs, only two earned, on six hits with 10 strikeouts but walked three batters and hit three more. Sass was even better holding Webster to just four hits in 8.1 innings with six strikeouts and no walks.

    The Gorloks return to action on Sunday morning against Wartburg (Iowa) at 10 a.m. in their home opener at GCS Ballpark in Sauget, Ill.