The Webster University softball team, behind Alexis Spriggs' complete game performance, defeated Muhlenberg College (PA), 3-2, to gain a split on March 5, at the PFX Games in Clermont, FL. The Gorloks fell short in a comeback in the opener, losing to Wartburg College (IA), 11-8.
After falling behind 1-0 on an unearned run in the first to Muhlenberg, Webster grabbed the lead with three runs in its half. Erin McGinnis (SR, Fenton, MO/Rockwood Summit HS) singled and Katelyn Johnson (JR, Cambridge, IL/Illinois Valley CC) walked. With two out, Tessa Johanning (SO, Sullivan, MO/Sullivan HS) singled to load the bases and Kayla Day (JR, Caruthers, CA/West Hills Coalinga CC) doubled. McGinnis and Johnson scored to make it 2-1 Webster.
Webster made it 3-1 in the second when Sydney Bierman (FR, Knob Noster, Knob Noster HS) led off with a walk and scored on a two-out triple by Johnson. Spriggs allowed a run in the fifth as the Mules edged within one, 3-2. But Spriggs closed the door over the last two innings, and only allowed five runners total over the final six innings of the game.
Spriggs (JR, Scott City, MO/Scott City HS) gave up just one earned run, five hits, walked one, and struck out six in her seven innings. She evened her season record at 1-1.
Day was 3-3 for the Gorloks, with two RBIs and a double. Johnson was 1-3 with a triple, RBI, run scored, and reached on a walk.
In game one, Webster fell behind, 8-0, to Wartburg before mounting a comeback. The Knights had scored three runs in the first, two in the third, and three in the fourth before the Gorloks got on the board with two in the bottom of the fourth. Sidney Coleman (Fredericksburg, VA/Garden City CC) singled and scored on a two-out double by starting pitcher Johanning. After advancing to third on a passed ball, Johanning scored on a Katlyn Garza (SO, O'Fallon, MO/Ft. Zumwalt North HS) single.
After Wartburg tacked on two more in the top of the fifth to make it 10-2, Webster added another two-spot in its half of the inning. Kaylyn DeCock (SR, Bettendorf, IA/Bettendorf HS) tripled to start the inning, then scored on a single by Karissa Cardenas (JR, Henderson, CO/Garden City CC). Coleman singled Cardenas to third, and Kate Sullens (JR, Highland, IL/Southwestern Illinois College) singled in another run to make it 10-4.
Webster made things uncomfortable for Wartburg in the sixth. Chelsea Thornley (SO, Clinton, MO/Clinton HS) reached on an error with one down and DeCock walked. Cardenas singled to right to load the bases. Erin McGinnis (SR, Fenton, MO/Rockwood Summit HS) and Coleman had back to back infield singles to score Thornley and DeCock. Sullens singled home Cardenas for a third run, and McGinnis scored on a sac fly by Laura Zeegers (SR, Oviedo, FL/Leon, HS. But Coleman was thrown out at third trying to advance on the throw and the Gorlok rally ended with the score 10-8.
Wartburg added an insurance run in the top of the seventh with a solo HR for the final run of the game. Johanning wound up taking the loss on the mound for Webster.
Coleman was 3-3 in the game, with an RBI and run scored and Cardenas was 2-3 with two runs and an RBI. Sullens was 2-4 with two RBIs and Garza was 2-4 with an RBI.
Webster continues play in the PFX Spring Games on March 6, with games vs. Austin College (TX) and Wesleyan College (GA). The Gorloks will conclude the trip with games on March 8 vs. Manhattanville College (NY) and Lakeland College (WI).
