The Webster University baseball team lost a battle to Westminster College, 8-6, on April 30 at GCS Ballpark. The Gorloks battled back from 4-0 and 6-1 deficits to tie the game, but saw a ninth inning rally fall short in the loss.
Webster starter Brandon Smith (SR, Imperial, MO/Seckman), who came into the contest at 5-0, didn't survive the first inning. Smith walked the first batter, then struck out the next two. A stolen base and wild pitch moved the runner to third, so the Gorloks intentionally walked the Blue Jays' clean up man. But the next batter singled to score one and after another walk loaded the bases, Smith was relieved by Johnny Lord (SR, Naperville, IL/Nequa Valley).
Lord was greeted with a single, scoring two to make it 3-0. A Gorlok throwing error allowed another runner to reach and a run to score before Lord struck out the next batter looking to end the inning with Westminster up, 4-0.
Webster got on the board in the first when Eric Outlaw (FR, Park Ridge, IL/Maine West) was hit by a pitch, and eventually scored on three wild pitches. Westminster got that run back in the second after a two-out walk and a double made it 5-1. The Blue Jays made it 6-1 in the third after a walk, with the runner taking second on a fielder's choice, and scoring on a single and error by the Gorlok left fielder.
The Gorloks picked up a run in the bottom half of the third after Nate Tholl (SO, Tinley Ridge, IL/John A Logan CC) singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch. With two down, Kyle Uhrich (SR, St. Louis, MO/Webster Groves) singled to left, scoring Tholl. Matt Wollnik (SR, Naperville, IL/Nequa Valley) doubled Uhrich to third, but both were stranded as Webster trailed, 6-2.
Webster rallied in the sixth. Uhrich singled past third and Wollnik singled into right. Ben Dinter (JR, Gurnee, IL/College of Lake County) doubled down the left field line, scoring Uhrich. Dakota DeFreitas (JR, Brechin, Ontario/John Wood CC) hit a sacrifice fly to the wall in right, scoring Wollnik and moving Dinter to third. Dinter was thrown out on a failed squeeze attempt and the Gorloks settled for two as they trailed, 6-4.
In the seventh, Tholl was hit by a pitch with one out. On a slow roller down the third base line by Conner Wardlaw (JR, Arnold, MO/Jefferson College), the Blue Jay third baseman threw the ball away as Wardlaw was reaching safely on a hit, and Tholl circled the bases. Outlaw singled home Wardlaw to tie it up at 6-6.
Lord, who had gone 7 1/3 innings, allowed a lead off double in the top of the ninth and, after walking a batter, was relieved by Matt Mulhearn (FR, Chicago Heights, IL/Marion Catholic). Catcher's interference was called on the first batter Mulhearn faced, loading the bases with no out. Catcher Christian Dahncke (JR, Vienna, IL/Vienna) was injured on the play and was replaced by K.J. Spisak (JR, Columbia, IL/Columbia).
The Blue Jays had back to back singles, each scoring a run. A catch on a diving liner by Wollnik at short, with a throw to third to double off the runner, recorded two quick outs. Mulhearn struck out the next batter to end the inning with Webster down, 8-6.
The Gorloks tried to rally in the ninth. Mike Wick (JR, Bartlett, IL/Bartlett) walked and pinch-hitter Zach Bishop (JR, Marhall, MO/Marshall) singled. Westminster made a pitching change. Tholl bunted and reached on a fielder's choice to load the bases when the Blue Jays couldn't get Wick at third. But the next three batters for Webster would go 1-2-3 though as they were unable to capitalize.
Lord allowed seven hits, five walks, and four runs...three earned, in his 7 1/3 innings. He struck out seven as he fell to 4-2 on the season with the loss. Mulhearn went one inning and gave up two hits, no runs, and struck out one.
Uhrich was 2-4 with an RBI, and a run scored, and Dinter was 2-4 with a double and an RBI. Wollnik was 2-3 with a double and walk, and Outlaw was 1-4 with an RBI and run scored.
Webster is 16-3 in the SLIAC and 26-10 overall as its win streak is snapped. Westminster College is 12-7 in the SLIAC and 17-10 overall.
The Gorloks host Fontbonne University for a double header at GCS on May 6. It will be Senior Day for Webster that afternoon.
