The Webster University softball team remained unbeaten as they beat Robert Morris University-Springfield, 15-6 and 14-3, on March 2 at Blackburn Park. Both games were five inning affairs as the Gorloks won both on the fifth inning 'eight-run' rule, improving to 6-0 on the season. The Webster offense scored in bursts, with six, seven, and two eight-run innings.
In game one, after Robert Morris scored two to start the contest, the Gorloks struck back with a seven-spot in their half of the first. Taylor White (FR, St. Charles, MO/Lutheran St. Charles) was hit by a pitch, Katelyn Johnson (SR, Cambridge, IL/Woodstock) walked, and Kate Sullens (SR, Highland, IL/Highland) singled to load the bases. Abby Burroughs (FR, Edwardsville, IL/Triad) had a hit on a high fly that just eluded the left fielder and shortstop to score White.
Sidney Coleman (SR, Fredericksburg, VA/Fountain-Ft. Carson) walked in Johnson, and Kayla Day (SR, Carruthers, CA/Caruthers) was hit by a pitch, scoring Sullens. After another walk, this time to Mansur, Burroughs scored to make it 4-2 and the Eagles changed pitchers. Karissa Cardenas (SR, Henderson, CO/Prairie View) was forced at first, with Coleman crossing the plate. With two down, an error on a fly to right by White, allowed both Day and Mansur to score to make it 7-2.
After the Eagles picked another run in the third, the Gorloks responded with eight in their half. Day led off with a hit and moved to second on a force at first. Mansur singled to score her and Emily Kolisch (SR, St. Louis, MO/Incarnate Word) followed with a single. White singled, scoring Mansur, and a Johnson single up the middle scored Kolisch to make it 10-3. Sullens hit a drive off the pitcher and into center for another hit, as White took home. Burroughs launched her second home run of the season, a three-run shot over the left field fence. Katlyn Garza (JR, O'Fallon, MO/Ft. Zumwalt North) walked, Mansur singled and Cardenas singled in Garza with Mansur being thrown out at the plate to end the inning with the score at 14-3..
Mansur went four innings for the win. She allowed six hits, a walk, four earned runs, and struck out five to go 2-0 on the season. Alexis Spriggs (SR, Scott City, MO/Scott City) closed out the game, pitching the fifth inning and gave up three runs, as the game still ended on the eight-run rule.
Burroughs was 2-4 with a home run, four RBIs, and two runs scored. Cardenas was 2-3 with a double and three RBIs and Sullens was 2-3 with two runs, and an RBI.
In the game two win, after the Gorloks took a 1-0 first inning lead, they busted out in the third. Burroughs reached on a fielder's choice, Coleman walked, and Garza singled in Burroughs to give Webster a 2-0 lead. Terri Dearth (JR, Lem, IL/Mt. Assisi Academy) was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Cardenas, Kolisch, and White all walked back to back, driving in Coleman, Garza, and Dearth to make it 5-0. Johnson dropped in a Texas Leaguer for a hit to left, scoring Cardenas. Sullens scored Kolisch with a sac fly to left and Webster had a 7-0 lead after three.
Chelsea Thornley (JR, Clinton, MO/Clinton) got the the start and after pitching three shutout innings, gave up three runs in the fourth as the Webster lead was to 7-3. But the Gorloks had one more big inning left in them.
Garza, Dearth, and Cardenas all walked to start the bottom half and when Kolisch walked, Garza scored. White was hit by a pitch to score Dearth, and after a force out scored Cardenas, a single by Sullens plated White and Kolisch. A single and an error off the bat of Burroughs sent Sullens home. After advancing to third, Burroughs scored on a fielder's choice by Dearth. When the dust settled, Webster lead 14-3.
The Gorloks generated the 14 runs on just seven hits, but received 11 free passes and had three hit batsmen in the game. Twenty-two out of the 34 Webster batters in the contest reached base. Sullens was 2-2 with three RBIs and a walk, and Garza was 3-3 with two RBIs. two runs and a walk. Johnson was 2-4 with two RBIs
Thornley went all five innings for her fourth victory of the young season. She allowed seven hits, four walks, three runs, and struck out two.
Webster was coming off a 4-0 trip to Memphis, TN, last weekend and are off to their best start in a season at 6-0 since going 9-0 in 2002.
The Gorloks will be back at Blackburn on March 4 to host the University of Wisconsin-Platteville for a doubleheader. On March 10, the team heads to Florida for the PFX Games where it will play eight games in five days.
