05/08/2025 O'Fallon, MO - Westminster College's baseball team faced a tough defeat in the SLIAC Semifinals, falling 8-4 to top-seeded Webster University on May 8, 2025, at CarShield Field. Despite a strong early start, the Blue Jays couldn't keep up with Webster's offensive surge in the middle innings, and their season now hinges on an elimination game tomorrow against Mississippi University for Women (MUW).
The game started off well for Westminster, as they took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Keli'i Price singled, advancing to second, and Beno Ballard followed with a clutch RBI double to bring Price home. However, Webster quickly answered in the bottom of the inning, with a sacrifice fly and an RBI single, putting the Gorloks up 2-1.
Westminster responded in the sixth inning with a solo home run from Price, tying the game at 2-2. In the seventh, Westminster took the lead again when Sam Alles singled to left center, driving in Aden Pecka and sending Braden Eye to third, making it 3-2.
However, Webster came back strong in the seventh. An RBI single tied the game at 3-3, and then followed with a three-RBI double, giving the Gorloks a 6-3 lead. Webster added two more runs in the eighth, one off an RBI single and another from a hit-by-pitch, making it 8-3.
Westminster managed to get one more run in the ninth when Alles singled up the middle, bringing in Domenic Nordmann, but the Blue Jays couldn't complete the comeback.
Offensively, Price led Westminster, going 3-for-5 with a home run and an RBI. Sam Alles contributed 2 RBIs, and Ballard added a double and an RBI. Despite their efforts, Westminster's offense was unable to match Webster's explosive innings.
On the mound, Charlie Schweppe (1-9) took the loss, allowing three earned runs over six innings and striking out five. Kaleb Hinkle-Pruett and TJ Grassl each provided relief, but Webster's offense was too much to overcome.
With their season now on the line, Westminster will face MUW tomorrow at 11 AM in a must-win game. A victory will keep their tournament hopes alive, while a loss will bring their season to a close.
