FULTON, Mo. - Branden Beeler's late inning grand slam helped lift the Blue Jays into handing Greenville its first conference loss and end the game in an early seven innings.
Westminster split the series on the day after taking a loss in game one, 6-4. The Blue Jays record moves to 9-8 overall and 5-3 in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
In game one, the Panthers got on the board first in the first inning with an unearned run. Westminster answered with a Ryan Clavin solo home run, extending his hot hitting streak after being named the SLIAC Hitter of the Week on Monday, tying the game at one run apiece.
A big third inning from the Panthers which included two home runs, including a three-run shot, put Greenville up 5-1 after three innings. Another Panther solo homer in the third increased the lead to 6-1.
A late rally in the final three innings which included shutout pitching from Andrew Boessen gave the Blue Jays hope. Beeler hit a triple for his first two RBI on the day to cut the lead to 6-3 in the fifth. Hayden Hirschvogel drew a walk with the bases loaded in the seventh to bring the score to 6-4, but Westminster couldn't capitalize on the opportunity and eventually dropped the game 6-4.
Ian Cassidy took the loss on the mound, pitching five innings and giving up six runs, two earned, on seven hits.
In game two, the Westminster bats came alive to score an impressive 19 total runs and end the game early by inducing the 10 run rule.
After two shutout innings from both squads, the Panthers again struck first with a three-run home run in the third.
Westminster answered with a five-run third started by Zach Eisenreich earning his first two RBI on the game with a single up the middle to score Michael Skinner and Ryan Klimkiewicz. After advancing to third on stolen bases, Eisenreich eventually made it home thanks to a sacrifice fly from Clavin. Hirschvogel and Beeler than scored on a throwing error from the Panthers to put Westminster ahead 5-3 after three innings.
Greenville pounced right back in the top of the fourth, scoring three runs to take back the lead at 6-5, but Westminster didn't quiet the bats in the fourth, adding a seven-run inning to take a commanding 12-6 lead.
Eisenreich again started the scoring with a hard hit double to right, scoring Ethan Rackers and Skinner for his third and fourth RBI of the game. Beeler than stepped up to score Eisenreich for another run for his third RBI on the day. Clavin replaced Beeler at second with a double for another RBI for Clavin, his third on the day. The third double of the inning came from Hirschvogel, who again replaced Clavin on third for another Blue Jay Run. Klimkiewicz concluded the scoring in the inning with a bases-loaded single to score Will Stonecipher and Hirschvogel.
Westminster picked up right where it left off in the sixth, starting with a line drive home run over the left field wall to increase the lead to 13-6. Stonecipher singled and stole second and third while Klimkiewicz drew a walk, when Zach Stiles came in to pinch run. After a wild pitch, Westminster added it's 14th run when Stonecipher advanced home. Stiles then scored on a fielder's choice by a ball put in play from Ethan Rackers. Eisenreich then walked to load the bases for a hot hitting Beeler, who needed a home run to complete the cycle for the series.
Beeler's grand slam was his third home run this season and increased his RBI to 18 on the year and lifted Westminster to a 10-run lead and a 19-6 advantage.
Despite the Panthers adding two runs on a home run in the seventh, it wasn't enough to keep the game going into the eighth inning and Westminster took the dominant win.
Boessen took the win on the mound, allowing just one hit in his two innings of relief, striking out four.
Eisenreich and Beeler led the way offensively with four and five RBI, respectively.
The Blue Jays hit the road Saturday for a doubleheader at Spalding. First pitch is set for noon.
