The Webster University baseball team broke out the bats for 14 hits and 13 runs in a 13-3 win over Cornell College (IA), on March 12 at the Russ Matt Central Florida Invitational in Auburndale, FL. The Gorloks start out their Florida trip 2-0 with a seven inning, 10-run rule win over the Rams.
Webster scored its first run in the bottom of the second. Matt Wollnik (SR, Naperville, IL/Nequa Valley) singled with one out and Jake Milosch doubled him to third. Dakota DeFreitas (JR, Brechin, Ontario/John Wood CC) hit a sac fly to score Wollnik to make it 1-0.
Cornell took a 2-1 lead in the top of the third. Webster starter C.J. Lee (JR, Aurora, IL/Waubonsie Valley) allowed a one-out single and a second runner reached on a wild pitch on a third-strike. After a stolen base moved the runners to second and thrid, a pair of Gorlok errors on the next play allowed both to score. A misplay on second baseman Nate Tholl (SO, Tinley Ridge, IL/John A Logan CC) allowed one runner in and a throwing error on Wollnik let a second run in as the Rams took a 2-1 lead.
The Gorloks would come right back in the bottom half of the third with three runs of their own. Tholl doubled with one down and Conner Wardlaw (JR, Arnold, MO/Jefferson College) doubled also, scoring Tholl. Brandon Smith (SR, Imperial, MO/Seckman) singled in Wardlaw, then swiped second. Webster's third double of the inning, by Kyle Uhrich (SR, St. Louis, MO/Webster Groves) sent Smith home with its third run for a 4-2 lead.
Uhrich hit a solo home run, with two down in the fifth, for the second game in a row to make it 5-2. After the Rams nicked Lee for a single run in the top of the sixth, the Gorloks scored two more in the bottom half. Wollnik singled and Milosch reached on an error as Wollnik took third. DeFreitas laid down a sacrifice bunt that scored Wollnik as Milosch took second. Tholl sent Milosch home with a single as the Webster lead reached five at 7-3.
Webster added seven in the seventh, including three on hit by pitch. Uhrich walked to lead off, and pinch-hitter Mike Wick and Wollnik walked to load the bases with no one down. Cornell changed pitchers and Milosch was hit by a pitch to score Uhrich. With one out, Joe Swanson (FR, Park Ridge, IL/Maine West) singled through the hole at short to score Wick.
Tholl was also hit by a pitch, sending Wolllnik home. With two down, Smith became the third batter in the inning to drive in a run on a HBP, scoring Milosch. Uhrich doubled to score Swanson and Tholl, to make it 13-3 and the Gorloks were winners via the 10-run rule.
Lee went six innings, allowing three hits, two walks, and one earned run. Lee fanned 10 while evening his season record at 1-1. Matt Mulhearn (FR, Chicago Heights, IL/Marion Catholic) took over the pitching duties in the seventh, throwing a scoreless frame.
Uhrich wielded the hot bat for a second straight day, going 3-4 with a home run, two doubles, four RBIs, two runs scored, and a walk. Wardlaw was 3-5 with a double, RBI, and run, and Tholl was 2-3 with two RBIs, a double, and two runs scored. Swanson was 2-4 with an RBI and run scored, and Wollnik was 2-3 with three runs scored and a walk.
Webster, receiving votes in latest d3baseball.com/NCBWA poll, is now 7-2 on the year. Cornell, a member of the Midwest Athletic Conference, is 1-3. The Rams were 22-16 in 2016.
The Gorloks face Marietta College Pioneers (OH), ranked 18th in the latest d3baseball.com/NCBWA poll on March 13.
