The Webster University baseball team had a tough first loss as it couldn't hold on to a big lead in a 13-11 loss to Millsaps College, on February 26 in Memphis, TN.  The Gorloks raced to a 7-0 lead in the first but the Majors kept chipping away until they overtook Webster late in the contest.

Conner Wardlaw (JR, Arnold, MO/Jefferson College) helped Webster blast off to that 7-0 first inning lead with a leadoff home run, his second of the young season.  Mike Wick (JR, Bartlett, IL/Bartlett) followed with a single and, with one down, Zach Bishop (JR, Marshall, MO/Marshall) singled as well.  Dakota DeFreitas (JR, Brechin, Ontario/John Wood CC) reached on an error to load the bases.

Matt Wollnik (SR, Naperville, IL/Nequa Valley) doubled to left, scoring Wick and Bishop for a 3-0 lead.  Nate Tholl (JR, Tinley Ridge, IL/John A Logan CC) grounded out with DeFreitas scoring and Wollnik taking third.  Adam Naliwajko (JR, Mt. Prospect, IL/St. Viator) walked then worked a double steal, with Wollnik taking home as Naliwajko stole second.  Eric Outlaw FR, Park Ridge, IL/Maine West) singled home Naliwajko, then swiped second also.  Wardlaw had his second hit of the inning, a single, scoring Outlaw to make it 7-0.

Millsaps reached C.J. Lee (JR, Aurora, IL/Waubonsie Valley), making his first start since 2015, for two runs in the second inning and a solo run in the fourth as the Gorloks held the lead.  Johnny Lord (SR, Naperville, IL/Nequa Valley) relieved Lee with two down to end the Majors' rally.  Lee went 3 2/3 innings, giving up five hits, two walks, two earned runs, and struck out four.  He was 5-1 with a 2.92 ERA in 2015, and was a combined 10-2 in his first two seasons.

Webster picked that run back up in the bottom half when Wardlaw doubled, stole third, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Wick made it an 8-3 lead.

The Gorloks were sailing along until the Majors erupted for five runs in the seventh.  Lord was greeted with a pair of singles and hit a batter, prompting a call to the pen for Brandon Smith (SR, Imperial, MO/Seckman).  Smith walked in a run, then allowed a two-run single.

After retiring the next two hitters, Smith hit a batter to load the bases back up and Kyle Uhrich (SR, St. Louis, MO/Webster Groves) was summoned to pitch.  Uhrich walked the first two batters he faced, forcing in two runs, before ending the inning with a strikeout and the score tied, 8-8.

Webster took the lead again in its half of the seventh.  Wick reached on an error and Uhrich walked.  With two out, Wollnik hit a three-run homer for an 11-8 lead.  It was Wollnik's second home run in three games after hitting two in his first three seasons.

The game continued to see-saw as Millsaps scored four in the top of the eighth.  After striking out the first batter, Uhrich hit the next two and Brett Jungles (SR, Naperville, IL/St. Francis) relieved.  He was greeted with a pair of singles, scoring one and leaving the bases loaded.  After retiring the second out, Jungles was touched for a two-run single.  The next batter walked to load the bases again.  An errant pickoff throw led to the Lynx fourth run as they took a 12-11 lead.

Millsaps picked up an insurance run in the top of the ninth for a 13-11 lead.

Webster had one last gasp in the bottom of the ninth.  Wick led off with a walk and, with two down, Jake Milosch (SO, St. Charles, IL/St. Charles East) singled.  A passed ball moved Wick and Milosch to second and third, but Wollnik was caught looking to end the game.

Wollnik was 2-5 with a home run, double, five RBIs, and two runs scored.  Wardlaw was 3-5 with a home run, double, two RBIs, and two runs scored.  Outlaw was 2-4 with an RBI, stolen base, and run scored.

Millsaps College, located in Jackson, MS, is 6-5.  The Majors, a member of the Southern Athletic Association, were 20-21 in 2016.

Webster, 2-1, has its home opener on March 4, when it faces North Park University (IL) at GCS Ballpark.  The Gorloks play Benedictine University (IL) and North Park on March 5, and Benedictine on March 6 at GCS.