Greenville, IL. 5/3/2022- The Westminster College softball traveled to Greenville to take on the Panthers in the quarterfinals of the SLIAC softball tournament. With the winner advancing to the final four in Peoria, IL on Thursday. The Panthers ran out to a five to nothing lead and held the Blue Jays hitless up to the 5th inning of the game. The Blue Jays had opportunities to score and possibly take the lead in the 5th and 6th inning. Greenville committed four errors in the 6th inning, opening the door for the Blue Jays. Alas, it was not meant to be. They could not capitalize, only scoring one run. The Panthers won 5-1.
Bailee Zemianek (Wentzville, MO / Holt) hit a leadoff double to get the Jays in the hit column to start the 5th. Eva Gannon (Wentzville, MO / Holt) was hit by a pitch on the next at-bat, putting runners on first and second. The Blue Jays were threatening for the first time in the game. The Panthers' pitcher would strike out the next three batters in a row, shutting down a potential rally.
The Jays would look to strike again at the top of the 6th inning. Emily Esquivel (San Diego, Ca. / Eastlake) reached on a throwing error. She would move up to second on a throwing error by the right fielder after a Blue Jay fly out. Esquivel then scored on another error by the Panther right fielder, putting the Jays on the board 5-1. Kasey Ginder (Kirkwood, Mo. / Kirkwood) singled up the middle. Zemianek reached on an error by the shortstop, moving Ginder up to second. Gannon singled to load the bases. The next batter would strike out swinging to end the inning with the bases loaded, allowing the Panthers to hang on to win 5-1 and advance to the tournament semifinals.
Haley Miller (O'Fallon, MO / Liberty) got the start, going three and two-thirds innings. She struck out three batters and walked four. Gave up two earned runs on five hits. Erin Carr (Woodlawn, Il / Christ Our Rock Lutheran) came in to finish the game. She pitched two and a third, striking out two batters, and walking one batter. Carr gave up one run on two hits.
Westminster ends the season with a record of 10-23 overall and 8-12 in the SLIAC.
