04/08/2025 Fulton, MO- In a thrilling doubleheader on April 8, 2025, Westminster College baseball split their two games against Lyon, showcasing both resilience and offensive firepower. After a tough 9-5 loss in the first game, the Blue Jays bounced back in Game 2 with a dominant 16-6 victory. The day featured standout performances, including a grand slam by Braden Eye and a home run by Cameron Schlegl, while the pitching staff held strong in the second game to seal the win. The split brings the Blue Jays to a 12-15 overall record and 5-5 in conference play as they look to build on their momentum in the coming weeks.
Game 1: Lyon 9, Westminster 5
In the first game of the doubleheader, Westminster faced off against Lyon in a closely contested battle that ultimately ended in a 9-5 loss for the Blue Jays. The game began with Westminster seizing an early lead in the first inning. Keli'i Price's hustle and smart base-running helped him reach third, and a throwing error from Lyon's pitcher allowed Price to score the first run. Moments later, Troy Romero added another run with a sacrifice fly, giving the Blue Jays a 2-0 advantage.
However, Lyon responded in the third inning. A sacrifice fly from Slade Inman brought home the first Lyon run, and then back-to-back singles tied the game, and the visitors grabbed a 3-2 lead. Westminster tried to stay competitive, tying the game in the bottom of the third thanks to a sacrifice fly by William Crabtree that scored Price, but Lyon's offense exploded in the later innings. A combination of errors and timely hitting allowed Lyon to build a steady lead, scoring two runs in the sixth, one in the seventh, and three in the ninth.
Westminster's pitching staff struggled to maintain consistency. Joshua Escobedo (L, 3-2) got the start, allowing three runs over 2.2 innings, and the bullpen, including Tayden Harlow, Blake Althuisius, and others, allowed several more runs across the remaining innings. Althuisius was particularly notable, striking out four batters in two innings, but he was ultimately tagged for two runs. The Blue Jays did show some fight at the plate, with notable performances from Romero, who crossed the plate twice, and Ballard, who contributed an RBI.
Despite the offensive effort from Westminster, the team struggled to capitalize on key opportunities, leaving nine runners stranded. The Blue Jays committed one fielding error, and Lyon capitalized on those mistakes, taking advantage of walks and key hits to extend their lead. Ultimately, Westminster's inability to fully contain Lyon's offense led to a 9-5 loss.
Game 2: Westminster 16, Lyon 6
The Blue Jays bounced back strong in Game 2, securing a commanding 16-6 victory. After a tough loss in the first game, Westminster came out swinging in the second, putting up five runs in the second inning and eight runs in the third to build an insurmountable lead. The Blue Jays' offensive explosion started with a key rally in the second. After a leadoff walk and a series of well-placed hits—including a two-RBI double from Price—quickly put the Blue Jays ahead. Romero added another run with an RBI single, and before long, Westminster was leading 5-2.
The big inning came in the third, where Westminster exploded for eight runs. Braden Eye was the standout performer, hitting a grand slam to center field, which cleared the bases and gave the Blue Jays a commanding 9-2 lead. Cameron Schlegl joined the offensive onslaught, crushing a three-run home run in the same inning. By the time the dust settled, Westminster was up 12-2, and Lyon found itself struggling to keep pace.
Lyon tried to mount a comeback in the fourth and fifth innings. The Scots hit a two-run homer in the top of the fourth to cut the lead to 12-4, and a pair of RBI singles in the fifth brought Lyon to within 14-6. But Westminster's pitching held firm in the later innings. Derek Archer (W, 2-2) got the win, pitching 4.1 innings, allowing six runs on five hits, but kept Lyon from mounting a significant rally. The bullpen, including Salvador Moncada and Tayden Harlow, shut down Lyon's offense, giving up just one hit and no runs over the final 2.2 innings.
Offensively, Westminster was relentless. Eye's grand slam was the highlight of the day, as he finished with five RBIs. Schlegl's three-run shot was equally significant, while Price continued his strong play, going 3-for-5 with two RBIs. Romero added two RBIs to his tally, and Sam Alles and Braden Eye both had key hits in the second and third innings. The Blue Jays' offense tallied 13 hits, and the team capitalized on Lyon's pitching struggles, drawing nine walks and taking advantage of errors.
This was the perfect response after a tough first game. The Blue Jays were able to showcase their offensive depth, with every batter in the starting lineup reaching base. With stellar pitching and explosive hitting, Westminster cruised to a 16-6 victory and improved their performance after a difficult opening game. They play at home again this Saturday, April 12 against Blackburn college. The first pitch is scheduled for 1:00pm.
