With a double-header sweep of Fontbonne University, 9-2 & 8-7, on May 8 at GCS Ballpark, the Webster University men’s baseball team clinched its fifth straight St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference regular season title. The Gorloks finished 21-3 in SLIAC play, earning the #1 seed in the conference tournament.

Steven Dooley (SO, Florissant Valley CC) started game one, and had a complete game victory in the 9-2 win. Dooley allowed one earned run, three hits, and walked two, improving to 4-1 on the season. The Gorloks banged out 11 hits, five for extra-bases, and stole five bases. Tom Henke (JR, Forest Park CC) hammered his fourth home and Matt Moore (JR, St. Joseph’s, IN), and Joe Gerace (FR, Oak Park River Forest HS, IL) were both two for three, with a run scored and an RBI.

In the nightcap, after Webster had taken a 2-0 lead in the first, the Griffins answered with four runs in the second to pull ahead, 4-2. Down 5-2, the Gorloks erupted for three runs in the fourth to tie the game. After exchanging single runs, Webster pulled ahead for good with a two-run sixth. Craig Schaefer (SR, Northwest HS) drove in what turned out to be the game-winner, as he singled through the hole at short to score Anthony Genna (SR, Lyons Township HS, IL).

Henke was two for four with a run scored, as he homered for the second time on the evening. Genna was two for three, with two runs scored, and two RBIs. Cody Stevenson (SO, Centralia HS, IL) was two for four, with a run and two RBIS. Jason Gray (JR, North Central CC, MO) picked up the win, pitching 5 1/3 strong innings of relief, after starter Dylan Dean Smith (FR, Edwards County HS, IL) had a rare short outing. Gray allowed three runs; only one earned, and improved to 4-0 on the year.

Webster opens the SLIAC tournament on May 12 at Glik Park, in Highland, IL, with a 2:00 p.m. first round game vs. Westminster College.