ST. LOUIS - Westminster baseball was chosen to finish third in the west division of the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, based on a poll from the league's head coaches.

 

The West Division features Webster, who is nationally ranked, along with Fontbonne. Westminster followed at third with 28 poimts, followed by Eureka and Iowa Wesleyan. 

 

The Blue Jays return a strong core of players, including the 2018 SLIAC Newcomer of the Year in utility player Ryan Clavin. He recorded a .336 batting average last season and led the Blue Jays in home runs last season with eight, and was second on the team in hits (41) and RBI (34). He also appeared in 12 games as a pitcher, starting in four, and pitching his way to a record of 5-3. Of his four starts, two of them were complete games. Clavin was second on the team in ERA at 4.46. 

 

Ian Cassidy, an All-Conference nod last year, returns after a 7-2 season on the mound in 2018, bringing back a 3.54 ERA and 63 strikeouts. Brandon Beeler, the starting catcher last season, is the final All-Conference returner for the Blue Jays.  He posted a .314 batting average and a .419 on-base percentage, recording 32 hits and 17 RBI. 

 

Westminster opens the 2019 season Feb. 16-17 in a three-game series against Ozarks, opening at home Mar. 2-3 against Eureka. 

 

1. Spalding - 44 (8)

2. Greenville - 38 (2)

3. MacMurray - 21

4. Principia - 17

5. Blackburn - 13

 

1. Webster - 45 (9)

2. Fontbonne - 31 (1)

3. Westminster - 28

4. Eureka - 18

5. Iowa Wesleyan - 13