The Webster University softball team rebounded from being no-hit in an 8-0 game one loss, to gaining a split with a 5-4 win in the finale vs. Greenville College (IL) on April 14 at Blackburn Park. Alexis Spriggs threw a complete game in game two to help salvage the split on Senior Day.
In
game one, Greenville took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first off Webster starter Chelsea Thornley (JR, Clinton, MO/Clinton). With one down, the Panthers had a pair of singles and a Gorlok error loaded the bases. A single into left gave Greenville the lead. The Panthers added two more in the third, hitting back to back solo home runs, with two down, to take a 3-0 lead.
Morgan Mansur (JR, Decatur, IL/Mt. Zion) took over for Thornley in the fourth inning. She was also bit by the home run bug when the Panthers reached her for a three-run shot in the fourth. After a lead off single, and walk with two down, Greenville had a home run over the left field wall. Three straight singles followed with the Panthers adding two more for an 8-0 lead.
The Gorloks couldn't get on the board as the Panthers won on the eight-run rule, 8-0, after six innings. Webster was no-hit for the six innings by Greenville pitcher Brianna Anderson, with only Kate Sullens (SR, Highland, IL/Highland) reaching on a hit by pitch and a walk, and Terri Dearth (JR, Lemont, IL/Mt. Assisi Academy) reaching on a hit by pitch.
Thornley took the loss for Webster and is 7-4 on the year.
Greenville took an early lead in
game two also, scoring a run in the first off Webster starter Alexis Spriggs (SR, Scott City, MO/Scott City), who pitched out of a bases loaded, no out jam to prevent any further damage. But the Gorloks grabbed the lead in the second inning. Kayla Day (SR, Caruthers, CA/Caruthers) had an infield hit and Terri Dearth was hit by a pitch. After a ground out moved the runners over, Katlyn Garza (JR, O'Fallon, MO/Ft. Zumwalt North) doubled in the gap to score two, giving Webster a 2-1 lead.
The Panthers tied it back up in the third with a solo run, 2-2. Webster would rally to take the lead in the fourth. Dearth led off with a single and Garza doubled. Sidney Coleman (SR, Fredericksburg, VA/Fountain-Ft. Carson) reached on a fielder's choice as Dearth was thrown out at home. Coleman stole second and Tessa Johanning (JR, Sullivan, MO/Sullivan) singled in Garza and Coleman to give Webster a 4-2 lead.
The Gorloks added an insurance in the sixth when Emily Kolisch (SR, St. Louis, MO/Incarnate Word Academy) and Garza singled. Johanning followed with her third straight hit to score Kolisch.and make it 5-2.
Spriggs gave up two runs in the seventh, and had the tying run on second, but retired the final batter for the win. Spriggs went all seven innings for her sixth win of the season. She gave up ten hits, walked three, struck out four, allowing three earned runs as she improved to 6-4.
Garza was 3-3 with two doubles and three RBIs, and Johanning was 3-3 with three RBIs
Seven seniors were honored in a ceremony between games. Karissa Cardenas (Henderson, CO/Henderson), Coleman, Day, Katelyn Johnson (Cambridge, IL/Woodstock), Kolisch, Spriggs, and Sullens were recognized for their careers at Webster.
Webster is 9-3 in the SLIAC and 21-10 overall. Greenville is 6-2 in the SLIAC and 13-10 overall.
The Gorloks are back in action on April 15, as they travel to Fulton, MO, to take on Westminster College for a double header. Webster then concluded its home portion of its schedule with a double header vs. Fontbonne University on April 19 at Blackburn Park.
