AUBURNDALE, Fla. - Westminster baseball traveled to Florida for the 2018 RussMatt Tournament, playing six games against four different nonconference opponents.
Westminster went 1-5 on the week, putting their record going into St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play at 5-6.
The Blue Jays took game one of the week against Centre, winning 9-3. Ian Cassidy continued his dominance on the mound, going all seven innings and earning his third win of the year. Ryan Clavin led Westminster offensively, going 3-4 with three RBIs. Mason Price added two RBI for the Blue Jays.
In game two, Centre avenged their first loss in extra innings, adding a run to break the tie in the top of the ninth to take game two 5-4. Alex Dickneite started on the mound and went six innings before Andrew Boessen took over in the seventh, eventually taking the loss. Price again kept up his offensive productivity in the series, driving in two more runs to lead Westminster.
On Monday of the trip, Westminster played one game against Western New England, eventually falling 4-2. Skyler Dickneite started on the mound and went for six innings, giving up just two runs and leaving with the game tied at 2-2. Sean Markley took over in the seventh, giving up two runs for the loss. Price again continued his hot streak, driving in the two lone Blue Jay runs of the game and increasing his RBI total to six on the week.
The offensive struggles continued for the Blue Jays against Benedictine, falling 4-0 and recording three hits. Clavin started on the mound and took the loss.
Westminster closed out the trip with a two-game series against Union College. Despite the two losses, the Blue Jays found their bats in both games, adding a combined run total of 12.
In game one, Westminster fell 8-5. Cassidy took his first loss of the season after going four innings. Nick Bohlmann led the squad with two RBIs.
In game two, the Blue Jays fell 11-7. The game was highlighted by a grand slam from Clavin, who totaled five RBI in the game. Blake Strebler added two more for the Blue Jays. Alex Dickneite started the game and went six innings, but it was Hayden Wallace that would eventually take the loss for his first of the season.
Westminster returns home ready for conference play, traveling to Greenville March 28 for a 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. double-header.
