The Webster University softball team won its opener 8-0 (6 inn), before losing the finale 4-3, in a double header vs. Blackburn College (IL), on April 12 at Blackburn Park. Webster had extended its win streak to eight games on a Morgan Mansur six-inning shutout, but two Beaver home runs sunk the Gorloks in the nightcap.
Webster took a 2-0 lead in the second inning in
game one. Sidney Coleman (SR, Fredericksburg, VA/Fountain-Ft. Carson) was hit by a pitch and Karissa Cardenas (SR, Henderson, CO/Prairie View) singled. Chyanne Fulmer (SO, DeSoto, IL/Carbondale) had a bloop single into center to score Coleman. Kate Sullens (SR, Highland, IL/Highland) followed with a single, just out of the reach of the shortstop, to score Cardenas.
The Gorloks added two more in the fourth. Coleman led of with a single and Cardenas had a sac bunt hit, with a throwing error by the Beavers allowing Coleman to come all the way around. Sullens had another hit passed the shortstop, plating Cardenas for a 4-0 lead.
Webster scored four more in the sixth to end the game. Cardenas singled, Fulmer reached on a fielder's choice, and Sullens walked to load the bases. Katelyn Johnson (SR, Cambridge, IL/Woodstock) singled, scoring Cardenas and Fulmer.
Abby Burroughs (FR, Edwardsville, IL/Triad) singled home Sullens, and Kayla Day (SR, Caruthers, CA/Caruthers) reached on a fielder's choice to load the bases back up. Emily Kolisch (SR, St. Louis, MO/Incarnate Word Academy) had a 'walk-off' walk, scoring Johnson with the game-winner, 8-0, with the Gorloks winning on the eight-run rule.
Mansur (JR, Decatur, IL/Mt. Zion) threw six scoreless innings, giving up four hits, one walk, and striking out four. She is now 8-2 on the season with the win, lowering her earned run average to 2.34 in the process.
Cardenas was 3-3 for the game, with three runs, and Sullens was 2-3 with two RBIs, a run, and a walk. Johnson was 1-3 with two RBIs, a run, and a walk, and Burroughs was 2-4 with an RBI.
In game two, Webster starter Alexis Spriggs (SR, Scott City, MO/Scott City) gave up a three-run homer to stake the Beavers to a 3-0 lead. Johnson got one of those back for the Gorloks with her second home run of the year, a shot over the right field fence.
The Gorloks chipped away with another run in the second. Terri Dearth (JR, Lemont, IL/Mt. Assisi Academy) doubled and took third on a wild pitch. She scored on a sacrifice fly by Kolisch to put Webster down by one, 3-2.
Webster picked up another in the fourth on some nifty base-running by Taylor White (FR, St. Charles, MO/Lutheran St. Charles). Day led off with a single and White pinch-ran. White stole second on a delayed steal, taking third on an errant throw by the first baseman. She then scored on a ground out to short, despite being 'looked back' by the shortstop, to tie it at 3-3.
The Beavers hit a two-out, solo home run in the top of the seventh to take a 4-3 lead. Webster would challenge in its half, with a runner at third with one down...but couldn't get the game tying run home.
Spriggs went seven innings, giving up seven hits, two walks, and four runs. She struck out two while taking the loss and is 5-4 on the year. Cardenas was 2-3 and Dearth was 1-2 with an RBI, run, and walk.
Webster is 8-2 in the SLIAC and 20-9 overall. The Gorloks host Greenville College (IL) on April 14 at Blackburn Park for Senior Day. Seven seniors will be recognized that afternoon.
