The #5 ranked Webster University baseball team had numerous chances to grab a win in the day's first game, but wound up losing to Concordia University (IL), 3-2 in 14 innings, on February 27 in its home opener at GCS Ballpark. The Gorlok offense spun its gears in a game two loss to Buena Vista University (IA), 2-0. Webster, despite a stellar starting efforts by Matt Goro and Jack Bensinger, dropped both contests.
GAME 1: In the loss to Concordia, Webster had solid starting pitching by Matt Goro (JR, Wildwood, MO/Lafayette HS), and relief by Trey Tigart (JR, Sikeston, MO/Sikeston HS). But four scoring chances to win the game, in the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 14th innings couldn't push a run across for the Gorloks.
Webster had runners at second and third with one out in the 14th, but on a grounder to third base, Matt Wollnik (JR, Naperville, IL/Nequa Valley HS) was cut down at the plate, and Jake Celleghin (JR, Westfield, IN/Westfield HS) was stranded at third as a pop fly down the right field line was snagged to end the contest.
A.J. Smith (FR, Duquoin, IL/Duquoin HS) pinch-hit with one down in the 11th and walked. Mike Golich (SO, Aurora, IL/Aurora West HS) singled, with pincn-runner Ryan Fischer (SR, Manchester, MO/Parkway South HS) taking second. A fly out to left field and a diving catch by the Concordia center fielder ended that threat.
Zach Bishop (JR, Marshall, MO/Marshall HS) led off the bottom of the ninth with an opposite field double down the left field line. Webster failed to sacrifice Bishop to third and he wound up stranded. The Gorloks had another chance to end the game in the bottom of the 10th. After a Jeff Kammer (SR, Chesterfield, MO/Lafayette HS) two-out double, Kyle Uhrich (JR, St. Louiis, MO/Webster Groves HS) hit a looper that looked like it had a chance to drop into right, but was speared by the Concordia second baseman to end the inning.
With one down in the bottom of the seventh, Adam Naliwajko (SO, Mt. Prospect, IL/St. Viator HS) had hit a solo shot over the left field wall to give Webster a 2-1 lead. But Concordia responded with a solo shot of its own in the top of the eighth to tie it at 2-2. After a Cougar reached on an error, Webster center fielder Celleghin played a double perfectly off the center field wall. He threw a strike to cutoff man Wollnik, who in turn threw a strike to Naliwajko to nail the runner at the plate to keep it at 2-2.
Goro got nicked for an unearned run in the fourth as the Cougars had a runner reach on a throwing error and take second. The next batter reached on a throwing error as well as the runner at second scooted home. Webster tied the game in the sixth on a Uhrich single, Blake Thomas (SR, Troy, IL/Triad HS) double, and an RBI ground out by Biship. Goro gave up his first hit in the Concordia sixth, on a looper into left field, but erased that runner on a 6-4-3 double play.
Goro went 10 innings, allowing just four hits and one earned run, and struck out nine in the game. Trey Tigart (JR, Sikeston, MO/Sikeston HS) pitched three scoreless innings in the 11 through 13th innings but got into a jam in the 14th. Concordia had a runner reach with one out on Webster's fifth error of the game. After a single to left, the Gorloks' sixth error loaded the bases, Tigart walked in the go-ahead run. Mitch Stefani (SR, Aurora, IL/Waubonsie Valley HS) was summoned to end the threat, retiring the final two batters.
Tigart took the loss after going 3 1/3 innings, giving up three hits, three walks, an unearned run, and striking out six. Concordia, which went 33-15 in 2015, starts the season 1-0.
GAME 2: Webster starter Jack Bensinger (GR, Los Angeles, CA/Campbell Hall) allowed a first inning run but then settled down, throwing five scoreless innings before being touched for a lead off home run in the seventh. Bensinger, who pitched only five innings in 2015, went the distance while taking the loss. He threw nine innings, giving up four hits, walking none, and striking out 12 in his second start of the young season.
The Webster offense was held in check on three hits through the first six innings before getting a scoring opportunity in the seventh. Kammer led off with a walk and, with one down, Bishop walked also but a 5-3 double play ended the Gorloks' rally. Webster had their best chance to score in the bottom of the ninth with two outs. Kammer walked, Thomas and Bishop singled to load the bases. Buena Vista changed pitchers and Uhrich struck out to end the contest. Webster wound up with five hits in the game.
Webster falls to 2-3 on the seaqson. Buena Vista, 25-16 in 2015, starts the season 1-0.
The Gorloks will be back in action at GCS on February 28 at 10:00 a.m. vs. North Park University (IL). Webster finishes the four-game weekend with a game vs. the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh on February 29 at 4:00 p.m. at GCS.
