Box Score SAUGET, Ill. – The 12^th ranked Webster University baseball team played their home opener this afternoon as they hosted Translyvania (Ky.) University for a nonconference matchup. The Gorloks defeated the Pioneers by a final score of 13-7 to improve to 3-1 on the season. With the loss, the Pioneers fall to 0-3 on the year.

The Pioneers got off to a hot start in the first inning of the game as they scored three runs in the top of the first to jump out to an early lead. The Gorloks responded with a three-run rally of their own in the bottom half of the frame, but another run from the Pioneers in the top of the second gave them a 4-3 advantage early. Webster bounced back and scored five runs over the next three innings and held an 8-4 lead through five. The Pioneers scored a run in the top of the seventh, but two runs in the bottom of the seventh and three runs in the bottom of the eighth put Webster up 13-5 heading into the ninth. Transylvania scored two runs in the top of the ninth but the Gorloks were able to pick up the final outs in the game to solidify the win.

It was a full team effort by the pitching staff as six pitchers pitched for the Gorloks. Jordan Smevoll (1-0) picked up the win in this one as he allowed four hits and four earned runs while striking out five in 5.1 innings of work. Joel Arsenault, Deven Shulstad, Ben Kowalski, Bobby Strandt, and J.T. Miller pitched in relief as the five combined to allow five hits and three earned runs while striking out two in the final 3.2 innings of the contest.

The Gorloks bats were rolling as they put together 17 hits in the contest with seven players recording a multi-hit game. Ben Swords led the way as he went 2-for-5 with a solo homerun and two RBI. In addition, Mitch Daniels went 2-for-2 with two RBI, Malik Wirges went 2-for-4 with two RBI, and Nathaniel Martinez went 2-for-5 with two RBI while Evan Evola, Matt Staker, and Adam Lovell all added two hits in the contest.

The Gorloks will return to the field tomorrow, March 5^th when they host the North Park (Ill.) University Vikings for a nonconference matchup. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at GCS Credit Union Ballpark.