Fulton, Mo., Wednesday March 10, 2021- The Westminster College Blue Jays welcomed the Washington University Bears to Blue Jay Field on Wednesday for a double header. The Blue Jays recorded a walk off winner in game one 9-8, while the Bears broke through in game two to win 10-5.
Game 1
The Blue Jay offense got rolling in the first inning as Emily Esquivel singled past the third baseman to get things started. After a strikeout, Brooke Laidley singled and the Jays had runners at first and second. After Katie Price moved both runners up, Eva Gannon came through with a two out two run single to stake Westminster to a 2-0 lead. Later in the inning after a Mackenzie Myers single and a Brooklyn Bledsoe walk loaded the bases, Summer Boswell grounded a ball to the left side and an errant throw would allow two more runs to score making it 4-0 Blue Jays after one inning.
The Bears would chip away at the Jays lead hitting a 2 run home run in the second inning and tallying a single run in innings three and four to tie the game. Washington University would explode for four runs in the top of the sixth to seemingly take control of the game but the Blue Jays were game to make a comeback in the bottom half of the inning.
Esquivel once again got things started with a single. As she was beating the throw to first, the ball got away from the first baseman and Esquivel didn't stop running until she hit third base. Laney Rosson walked, and after a pop out recorded the first out of the inning, Rosson then stole second. Esquivel would come into score on a passed ball and Rosson advanced to third cutting the lead to 8-5. Another Bears error would bring in Rosson making the score 8-6. A few batters later Bledsoe would tie the game with a huge two out two run double.
Price would work around a hit in the top of the seventh inning to keep the game tied 8-8. The stage was set for the Jays. Esquivel would single with one out. Rosson would then execute a perfect sacrifice bunt that moved Esquivel into scoring position with two outs. Brooke Laidley would step in looking to be the hero. Laidley came through with a single to center and Esquivel came charging hard to home and just barely beat the throw to set off a Blue Jay victory celebration.
Price would go the distance on the mound for the Blue Jays giving up seven earned runs on 14 hits. She struck out six and walked just one. She improves to 4-1 on the season. The Jays improved to 5-4 after the exciting finish.
Game 2
The Bears wasted no time in game two putting up three runs in the first inning. The Blue Jays would respond in the bottom half of the inning. Laney Rosson singled and then Brooke Laidley would continue her outstanding day with a two-run home run that cut the lead to 3-2. Myers would keep the inning going with a two out double that was followed by an Abby Jaspering two run home run to give the Blue Jays the 4-3 lead.
The Bears would tie the game in the second with a solo home run. They would then retake the lead in the third inning by virtue of another solo home run. Washington University would hit back to back solo home runs in the fifth inning. Brooke Laidley tried to keep Westminster in it with an RBI double to make it 8-5 Washington University. The Bears would maintain their lead and go on to a 10-5 split salvaging win in game two.
Erin Carr would take the loss for the Blue Jays and drop to 1-4 on the season. She showed a lot of heart grinding through seven innings keeping the Blue Jays in striking distance. The Blue Jays drop to 5-5 on the season.
The Blue Jays will be back in action this weekend as they will host Simpson College for a Saturday double header and a single game on Sunday at Blue Jay Field. The Saturday double header is slated for 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. first pitches. The game on Sunday is set for an 11:00 a.m. first pitch.
