The #2 ranked Webster University baseball team lost to cross-town rival, Washington University, 4-2, on April 28 at GCS Ballpark in Sauget, IL. Webster had an eight-game win streak snapped as its explosive offense was limited to five hits.
A three-run seventh inning by the Bears was Webster's undoing. The Gorloks had a 2-1 lead entering the seventh as freshman C.J. Lee started and had pitched six strong innings. Lee (FR, Aurora, IL/Waubonsie Valley HS) ran into trouble as he walked the first two batters, prompting the Gorloks to bring in Dylan Dean Smith (SR, Albion, IL/Edwards County HS).
Smith allowed an infield single to load the bases, and a Bear double cleared the bases, giving Washington U. a 4-2 lead.
The Gorloks took a 1-0 lead in the first when Corey Lasky (SR, Vernon Hills, IL/Adlai E Stevenson) walked and Ryan Hall (SR, Chesterfield, MO/Eureka HS) forced Lasky at second. Taylor Stoulp (SR, St. Louis, MO/St. Mary's HS) followed with a double to plate Ryan.
The Bears picked up a run in the third off Lee to tie the game, but the Gorloks regained the lead in the fourth. With two outs, Max Morohashi (SO, Encino, CA/Campbell Hall) singled, catcher Ian Foege (SR, Eureka, MO/Eureka HS) walked, and Matt Wollnik (FR, Naperville, IL/Neuqua Valley HS) reached on an infield single.
When Morohashi rounded third a little too far on the play, an error on the throw by the Bears to nab Morohashi allowed him to scramble home for a 2-1 lead. The score stayed that way until the seventh.
After allowing a leadoff single to the Bears in the eighth, Brett Buchanan (SR, Villa Park, IL/Willowbrook HS) relieved Smith, got a 4-6-3 double play and a ground out to end the threat. Jason Gray (SR, St. Louis, MO/Eureka HS) pitched a scoreless ninth.
Webster's best chance to tie it up came in the bottom of the eighth. Stoulp singled with one out, and with two out, Jeff Kammer (SR, Chesterfield, MO/Lafayette HS) was hit by a pitch.
Kevin Kojs (SR, New Lenox, IL/Lincoln Valley Central HS) pinch hit for Morohashi and was hit by a pitch as well to load the bases. But Foege (SR, Eureka, MO/Eureka HS) flew out to left to end the threat.
Lee went six innings, allowing three hits, four walks, three runs, and struck out one. He took the loss and is 3-1 on the season.
Stoulp was 2-4, with a double and an RBI. Stoulp is hitting a robust .438 on the season, and leads the SLIAC in batting average. He also leads the team in runs, hits, doubles, walks, and on-base pct. (.500).
Webster travels to Fulton, MO, for a single game vs. Westminster College on April 29. On May 3, the Gorloks have a doubleheader vs. Fontbonne University at Shaw Park in Clayton. They wind up the regular season by hosting Fontbonne on May 4 at GCS Ballpark on senior night.