Hal Landers led Wheaton (Mass.) with two hits on the day. d3photography.com photo by Larry Radloff More photos from this game

By Jim Dixon, D3sports.com

GRAND CHUTE, Wis. -- Wheaton (Mass.) (39-9) started the game with two straight hits and both scored as Wheaton passed the first test of the day with a 3-2 win over Webster (35-13) Friday at the Division III Baseball World Series in Grand Chute, Wis.

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"Today's game was very similar to the way we need to win when we are playing the way we need to play. Our team has evolved into a team relies on pitching and defense," said Wheaton coach Eric Podbelski.

Webster got the first hit of the series with Tom Henke's single to right but Wheaton (Mass.) got the scoring started with two runs in the first. Two singles down the left field line for Hal Landers and Eric Jensen put runners on the corners. Sean Ryan's ground out scored one and a two-out hit by Apolinar De La Cruz brought in Jensen.

"I was looking for a pitch I could drive," said De la Cruz. "I thought the pitcher made some pretty good pitches. He threw me a fast ball and I tried to stay short, getting the hit."

Webster's Cody Stevenson tripled and came around to score on Taylor Stoulp's base knock up the middle to cut the Lyons' lead in half. Wheaton added an unearned run in the fourth. Dan Gusovsky doubled to right when the Webster fielder misjudged the fly ball. Following two hit batters, an error on the pitcher in a pickoff attempt allowed Gusovsky to score.

With Wheaton's closer on the mound the Gorloks mounted a rally. Mitchell Bonds was hit by Ryan Grant and Kevin Kojs' two-out hit brought him around to score. Michael Aaron pitch ran for Kojs to represent the tieing run but was left on base when Charlie Gandolfi grounded out to end the game.

"We had some opportunities we let get away," said Webster coach Bill Kurich. "We will get a good pitching performance and be out tomorrow to play."

Alec Palioca earned the win, allowing one run as he scattered eight hits in 7.1 innings. Palioca did not allow a walk and struck out seven. Grant earned his ninth for his 13th save of the year. David Mueller took the loss for Webster. He allowed three runs on five hits. Mueller struckout seven Lyons.

Kojs had three hits to lead both offenses. Teammates Taylor Stoulp and Tom Henke had two hits apiece for the Gorloks, while Hal Landers led the Lyons offense with two hits.