The Webster University softball team extended its winning streak to six games with a doubleheader sweep of Principia College, 14-2 (5 inn) and 8-0 (6 inn) on April 16 at Blackburn Park. The wins evened up the Gorloks in St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play at 6-6.
The Gorloks rapped out 25 hits and scored 22 runs in 11 innings of play on the afternoon. Webster picked up wins from starters Tessa Johanning and Alexis Spriggs, with Paige Prather finishing up both contests
In
game one, Webster fell behind 2-0 in the first as Principia touched Johanning (SO, Sullivan, MO/Sullivan HS) for a pair, but the Gorloks evened it up in the second and would wind up scoring 14 straight runs. Kayla Day (JR, Caruthers, CA/Caruthers HS) had a two-out single in the second. Kaylyn DeCock (Bettendorf, IA/Bettendorf HS), one of three seniors honored in a pre-game ceremony, hammered a home run over the left field fence to tie it up, 2-2.
In the Webster third, Kate Sullens (JR, Highland, IL/Highland HS) had a bloop hit and Katelyn Johnson (JR, Cambridge, IL/Woodstock HS) bunted for a hit, taking second on a throw to third as Sullens slid in safe. Carol Ann Weiler (SO, St. Peter's, MO/Ft. Zumwalt East HS) singled them both home. Sidney Colman (JR, Fredericksburg, VA/Fountain-Ft. Carson HS) and Erin McGinnis (Fenton, MO/Rockwood Summit HS), another senior honored, singled with Weiler scoring. McGinnis got caught in a rundown on the play and Weiler crossed the plate before McGinnis was tagged out to make it 6-2.
An eight-run Gorlok fourth iced the contest. Karissa Cardenas (JR, Henderson, CO/Prairie View HS) singled, Sullens doubled her home, and Weiler singled in Sullens. Coleman singled and Johanning reached on an error to load the bases. McGinnis singled home two and an error on the Panther right fielder, on a ball hit by Day, scored two more. DeCock singled and a Katlyn Garza (SO, O'Fallon, MO/Ft. Zumwalt North HS) ground out scored pinch-runner Sydney Bierman (FR, Knob Noster, MO/Knob Noster HS). An Emily Kolisch (JR, St. Louis, MO/Incarnate Word Academy) single plated DeCock with run #8 and Webster led, 14-2.
Johanning went four innings, giving up three hits and two runs in earning the win. Johanning is 3-4 on the season. Paige Prather (Evansville, IN/Evansville Central HS) pitched a scoreless fifth inning to wrap it up as the 'eight-run rule' applied.
Sullens was 3-3 with a double, RBI, and two runs scored, and Weiler was 3-3 with three RBIs, a double, and two runs scored. McGinnis was 2-3 with three RBIs and a run scored, and DeCock was 2-3 with the home run, two RBIs, and two runs scored.
In the 8-0
game two win, the Gorloks got on the board in the first. Sullens walked, stole second, and scored on a Weiler single. Webster made it 2-0 in the second as McGinnis walked, advanced on a fly out, and scored on a Garza single.
Webster made it 6-0 iin the third. Weiler doubled, Coleman had an RBI single and stole second. McGinnis had an RBI single and DeCock walked. Garza singled in another run and after a Kolisch walk, Sullens was hit by a pitch, forcing in the fourth run of the inning.
The Gorloks added a solo run in the fourth, and a Weiler triple and Coleman single made it 8-0 in the bottom of the sixth, giving Webster the 'mercy' eight-run lead, and the win.
Spriggs went four innings, giving up three hits and no runs in earning her fourth win of the season. Prather finished up for a second straight game, throwing two scoreless innings.
Weiler was 3-3 with a double, triple, three runs scored, and an RBI. Weiler wound up 6-6 on the day. Coleman was 2-3 with two RBIs, a double, HBP, and stolen base. McGinnis was 1-1 with two RBIs, two runs, and a walk, and Garza was 2-2 with two RBIs.
Webster is 6-6 in the SLIAC and 11-15 overall with the wins. The Gorloks are right back in action on April 17 at Blackburn Park with SLIAC doubleheader vs. Spalding University (KY).
