Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 The Webster University softball team began the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference schedule with a doubleheader split with Blackburn College (IL), 9-0 (5 inn) and 2-8, at Blackburn Park on April 2.  Trisha Thompson (JR, Xavier Prep HS, AZ) picked up her fourth win of the season, all of them shutouts, in the opener.

The Gorloks jumped on the Beavers for three runs in the second inning of game one, two of them courtesy of a blast by Taylor Gibbs (SO, Alton HS, IL) well over the fence in left center field.  Jessica Arcangel (SR, St. Lucy's Priory, CA), who had the first of her three singles to lead off the inning, scored on the bomb.  Erin McGinnis (FR, Rockwood Summit HS, MO) followed with a single and scored on a two-out hit by Rachel Franck (FR, McCluer North HS, MO).

Webster scored two more runs in the third, and four more in the fourth to build a 9-0 lead, and won it in five innings on the 8-run rule.  Thompson sailed through the Blackburn lineup, retiring the first nine batters of the game, and finishing with three hits and no runs allowed over five innings.  She struck out seven and walked none as she improved to 4-5 on the season.

Arcangel was three for three with three runs scored, a stolen base of home on a double steal, and an RBI.  Gibbs wound up one for three, with the home run and three RBIs.  Franck was three for three, with three stolen bases, an RBI, and a run scored.

The Gorloks didn't fare as well in the nightcap.  Franck started on the mound and the Beavers struck quickly as three singles and two errors, one by Franck herself, lead to four runs with just one out in the first.  Franck, who has been bothered by an arm ailment, was done for the night and Thompson was called back into action.

Thompson struck out two to get out of the jam.  After Webster had chipped away to make it 4-2, Blackburn touched Thompson for three runs in the fourth.  After three hits, a walk, and two wild pitches, Blackburn led 7-2.

Thompson pitched the final six and two-thirds innings, allowing seven hits, four walks, and four runs.  She struck out 11 in the game, giving her 18 on the night and 263 for her career, moving her into third place on Webster's all time high list.  The shutout she had in game one was the 12th of her career and she needs one more to tie for second place on Webster's all time high list.

Molly Muntz (JR, Streator HS, IL) was two for three with a double and an RBI, and Aly Watson (SR, Ft. Zumwalt South HS, MO) was two for four with a double and a run scored.

Blackburn, off to a surprising 11-3 start to the season, is 3-1 in the SLIAC.  Webster is 1-1 in the SLIAC and 10-7 overall.

The Gorloks are right back in action at Blackburn with a doubleheader vs. Rose-Hulman Institute (IN) on April 3.  Webster resumes play in the SLIAC as they host Principia College (IL) on April 9 at Blackburn.