(Fulton, Mo.) - The Webster Gorloks hung on for an 8-7 win against Westminster on Wednesday evening at Saucier Field in Fulton, Mo. Webster built an 8-3 lead after six and a half innings before the Blue Jays began their come back.

    The Gorloks (21-11, 16-2 SLIAC) got off to an early lead two batters in the game when Dave Umfleet hit a solo home run to right field then they took advantage of an error by the  Westminster (19-12, 13-8 SLIAC) defense to add two more runs for a 3-0 advantage. After a couple of scoreless frames Webster extended its lead to 5-0 with two more in the fourth inning on a single and two doubles. The Blue Jays got two of those runs back in the bottom of the inning on three hits but WU answered back with another run in the fifth on a pair of singles and a wild pitch to push the lead to 6-2.

    WC scored again in the bottom of the sixth courtesy of a lead off double to the gap in right center then moved him around on back to back ground outs. The Gorloks got its final two runs in the seventh loading the bases with one out and then got a RBI single from Kyle Starnes and a squeeze bunt to first from John Combs to drive home the final run.

    The Blue Jays began its comeback in the bottom of the seventh scoring a pair of runs on a single to right plating one run then got the second one when the right fielder misplayed the ball to make it 8-5. After a strikeout Eric McKinley came on in relief of Brett Mueller to get the final out of the seventh and then tossed a perfect eighth inning.

    After striking out the first two in the ninth McKinley ran into trouble giving up back to back singles and a walk to load the bases before Jesse Jett got a single to drop in down the right field line plating two runs and putting the tying run at third. The next batter then drilled a line drive to second but the ball hit off Alex Raetzloff's chest and rolled right to the bag where Nathan Shelton stretched for the ball and grabbed it before the runner reached the bag to end the game.

    Umfleet finished the night a triple shy of the cycle with four hits two singles a double and the home run. Raetzloff, Starnes, and Shelton each chipped in with two hits.

    Mueller improved to 5-0 allowing five runs, four earned, on seven hits with four walks and five strikeouts in 6.2 innings. McKinley picked up his first save of the year allowing a pair of runs on three hits over the final 2.1 innings.

    Webster returns to action on Saturday afternoon with a conference doubleheader at Maryville University starting at 1 p.m.