The Webster University men’s baseball team suffered its first loss in the 2010 NCAA III National Championships, losing to Illinois Wesleyan University, 8-3, at Swanson Stadium in Moline, IL. The Gorloks must play their way out of the ‘losers’ bracket, starting with a 6:00 p.m. contest later today, May 22.   Webster will face the winner of  the Buena Vista (IA)/Rose-Hulman Institute (IN) game. 

Webster took a 2-0 lead in the top of the fourth, but the Titans came back with four runs in their half of the inning, and tacked on three insurance runs in the eighth. John DuHadway (SR, Christian Brothers HS) took the loss for the Gorloks.

Victor Valdez (SR, Benet Academy, IL) continued his torrid hitting in the tournament, going two for four, with two runs scored and a double. Joe Biagini (SO, Glenbard South HS, IL) was forced to leave the game in the second inning, suffering an injury on a head first slide.
 
A Gorlok win later today would advance them to the Regional finals, to be played on Sunday, May 23 at 11:00 a.m., at Swanson Stadium. Webster would need to win consecutive games to secure the championship, and a loss will end its season. The Gorloks are 35-10 on the year.