The Webster University softball team got two solid complete game pitching efforts from Chelsea Thornley and Alexis Spriggs as the team split a doubleheader, winning 1-0 and losing 1-0, to Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (IN). The games took place in the Gorloks' home opener, on March 19 at Blackburn Park
Thornley (SO, Clinton, MO/Clinton HS) threw a complete game shutout in the opener, scattering five hits and two walks as she picked up her first win of the season. Thornley only got into a jam once, giving up back to back singles with two down in the bottom of the seventh, but got the final batter to fly out to end the contest.
Webster scored its only run in the sixth when Carol Ann Weiler (SO, St. Peter's, MO/Ft. Zumwalt East HS) singled to center and Kate Sullens (JR, Highland, IL/Highland HS) reached on an error. Katelyn Johnson (JR, Cambridge, IL/Woodstock HS) loaded the bases with a bunt single and a sac fly by Tessa Johanning (SO, Sullivan,MO/Sullivan HS) scored the only run of the contest as Weiler crossed the plate.
Sullens had thwarted an Engineer scoring threat in the fourth when she ran down a hard hit fly ball headed for the left center gap and snared it several feet in front of the fence.
Johnson was 2-3 in the game and Sullens was 1-3 with the lone run.
Game two was another low scoring affair as Spriggs (JR, Scott City, MO/Scott City HS) went the distance as well, giving up six hits, one run, and two walks in seven innings. Her lone rough inning came in the fourth when the Engineers had a single and double with one down, and scored the lone run one on another single. A line drive to Spriggs, and a throw to first to double off the runner ended the inning.
Webster had hits in six different innings, but couldn't put any together for any runs. Sidney Coleman (JR, Fredericksburg, VA/Fountain-Ft. Carson HS) was 2-2, and Johanning and Karissa Cardenas (JR, Henderson, CO/Prairie View HS) were 2-3 in the game.
Webster is 2-8 on the season. Rose-Hulman, who was 21-13 in 2015, is 8-5 on the year.
The Gorloks open play in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference at home on March 25, with a doubleheader vs. MacMurray College (IL) at Blackburn Park. Webster will host Illinois College for a non-conference doubleheader on March 28.
