The Webster University softball team opened play in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with an 8-5 loss to MacMurray College (IL) but stormed back for a split in the nightcap with a 12-6 win.  The Gorloks rapped out 13 hits in their 12-6 win after banging out 10 hits in the opener.

In game two, after Webster had taken a 1-0 first inning lead, the Gorloks batted around in the second as they converted four singles and three walks into five runs.  Webster scored all five with two down as two-run singles by Erin McGinnis (SR, Fenton, MO/Rockwood Summit HS) and Carol Ann Weiler (SO, St. Peter's, MO/Ft. Zumwalt East HS) were the big blows.

After MacMurray reached Webster starter Tessa Johanning (SO, Sullivan, MO/Sullivan HS) for two runs in the top of the third, the Gorloks responded with five unearned runs in their half of the inning, all with two down as well.  A two-run single by McGinnis and two-run double by Weiler were the two big hits in the rally as Webster built an 11-2 lead.  Sidney Coleman (JR, Fredericksburg, VA/Fountain-Ft. Carson HS) slammed a lead off home run in the fourth to make it a 12-2 game.

The Highlanders roughed up Johanning in the fifth for four runs on four hits and three walks before Alexis Spriggs (JR, Scott City, MO/Scott City HS) was called on to douse the fire.  She retired the only batter she faced to end the threat.  Spriggs would go the final 2 1/3 innings, giving up no runs and two hits.  Johanning picked up her first win of the season, to improve to 1-2 with her 4 1/3 innings of work.

Weiler was 2-5 with five RBIs, a double, and run scored.  McGinnis was 2-4 with four RBIs and two runs scored.  Kate Sullens (JR, Highland, IL/Highland HS) was 2-2, with three runs scored, an RBI, and reached on a hit by pitch twice.  Katelyn Johnson (JR, Cambridge, IL/Woodstock HS) was 2-2  with two runs scored and two walks.

In game one, MacMurray took a quick two-run lead in the top of the first off Webster starter Chelsea Thornley (SO, Clinton, MO/Clinton HS) on a two-run homer.  Webster scored a single run in the first on a Weiler single and tied the game, 2-2, in the third.  The Highlanders would score runs in the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings to take a commanding 8-2 lead.  The Gorloks tried to mount a comeback in the bottom of the seventh.

Karissa Cardenas (JR, Henderson, CO/Prairie View HS) reached on an error to open the inning and Sullens drove a home run deep over the right center field fence to make it an 8-4 game.  Johnson singled, and with one down, Weiler singled her home to close the gap to 8-5.  Johanning singled and the tying runs were aboard with one down.  But the final two Gorloks were caught looking for strikeouts to end the threat.

Sullens was 3-3 with a home run, two RBIs, walk, and run scored.  She finished the evening 5-5, raising her average to a team-high .475 and is seventh in the SLIAC in batting.  Weiler was 2-3 with two RBIs and a walk and had seven RBIs on the day.  She leads the Gorloks with 13 RBIs and is fifth in the SLIAC in runs batted in.  Coleman was 2-4 with a double.

Thornley went 4 1/3 innings and took the loss.  She gave up five hits, two walks, and four earned runs with just one earned, while striking out four.  Spriggs and Paige Prather (SR, Evansville, IN/Central HS) each went 1 1/3 innings to close out the contest on the mound.

Webster is 1-1 in the SLIAC and 3-9 overall.  The Gorloks are right back at home on March 28 with a non-conference doubleheader vs. Illlinois College at Blackburn.  Webster plays at Fontbonne University on March 31.