SAUGET, Ill. – A two run homer in the first inning by Concordia University Texas' Bret Leiferman doomed Webster University here Monday afternoon as the Gorloks rallied late, but fell 4-3 to the Tornados in a non-conference game at GCS Credit Union Ballpark.
 
In Monday afternoon's game, the Gorloks collected nine hits, including a combined five hits from its top two hitters in the line-up as senior rightfielder Nate Tholl (Tinley Park, Ill./John A. Logan CC) had three hits, while senior centerfielder Conner Wardlaw (Arnold, Mo./Jefferson College) had two hits, including a lead-off double in the eighth inning.
 
Trailing 3-0 heading into the bottom of the fifth inning, Webster plated its first run on an RBI single Tholl. Tholl's single brought home sophomore Adam Lovell (Lafayette, Ind./St. Joseph's College), who reached on a fielder's choice as a pinch hitter for sophomore leftfielder Jon Cocchio (Montville, N.J./Quincy University).
 
Webster pulled within a run at 3-2 in the bottom of the eighth on a double by Wardlaw, a single by sophomore first baseman Kyler Kent (Pottsboro, Texas/Pottsboro), a walk by senior designed hitter Ben Dinter (Gurnee, Ill./College of Lake County) and a sacrifice fly off the bat of freshman third baseman Ben Swords (Freeport, Ill./Freeport).
 
Concordia, though, would add an insurance run in the ninth without the benefit of a hit as three different Gorlok pitchers in the inning walked four Concordia hitters to give the Tornados a 4-2 lead.
 
The Gorloks would answer in the ninth as they pulled within a run on a pinch-hit RBI double to right center by redshirt sophomore A.J. Smith (DuQuoin, Ill./DuQuoin). Smith's double scored freshman shortstop Matt Staker (El Cajon, Calif./Saint Augustine), who drew a one-out walk from CUTX's Justin Traxler. The Tornados would hang on as after Caleb Nicholson hit Wardlaw with a pitch to put two runners on base, he would get out the jam by forcing freshman first baseman Jacob Budrovich (St. Louis, Mo./Lutheran South) to hit into a fielder's choice to end the game.
 
Concordia finished with seven hits, including two hits apiece from Leiferman and Michael Evan.
 
Matt Mulhearn, who was Webster's starting pitcher, took the loss on the mound as he threw into the seventh inning and allowed six hits and three runs, while walking none and striking out four. The four other pitchers that threw for the Gorloks pitched 2.2 innings and allowed just one hit but walked five and struck out one.
 
Traxler (1-0) earned the win in relief of Cole Angelle, who started and pitched the first four innings for the Tornados. Traxler threw 4.1 innings and allowed five hits and three runs, while walking three and striking out three. Nicholson picked the save as he retired two of the batters he faced.
 
In the game, Webster left nine runners stranded, while Concordia left seven runners on base.
 
Webster concluded the day with a 4 p.m. game against sixth-ranked Concordia (Chicago), a team they defeated 5-4 in Sunday's season opener.