ELSAH, IL - The sun was shining on a cool, windy Saturday afternoon as the Panthers Baseball team hosted the Webster Gorloks, who are currently ranked 12th in all of NCAA Division III. Webster entered the series with a record of 19-5 (7-2) and on a nine game winning streak.
Senior Chris Strong started game one on the mound for the Panthers and kept the Gorloks off the board in the top of the first, stranding two runners. Webster found their way onto the scoreboard in the second as they took advantage of a lead off walk and a couple singles. Catcher Ryan D'Amico threw out a would be base stealer to put an end to the Webster three run rally. In the third, Strong started to settle in throwing a one-two-three inning. Unfortunately, things unraveled for the Panthers in the top of the fourth as the Gorlok bats exploded for 12 runs on nine hits before Salvador Flores picked up the final out of the inning.
The Panthers remained hitless until the fifth when D'Amico drove his first collegiate homerun over the left field fence. Strong followed the homerun with a single, but he was left stranded. In the bottom of the sixth, Jack Adler singled up the middle and was moved to second by a ground ball off Tim Eissler's bat. Casey Golbiw singled up the middle advancing Adler to third, and then D'Amico roped a line drive to right field picking up his second RBI of the game. The Panthers didn't roll over and tried to claw their way back in the seventh. Salvador Flores, Owen Murphy, and Gavin Brustman each drew a walk to load the bases. Alejandro Zozaya then picked up an RBI on a hit by pitch. Another run scored on a ball hit by Adler, and D'Amico picked up this third RBI on a walk before the Gorloks were able to get out of the inning for the 16-5 win.
Jack Adler received the nod for game two coming off a solid, ten strikeout performance last Saturday. Adler struggled early with command but picked up two quick outs and looked like he would escape unscathed. However, a double plated two runs and Webster took an early 2-0 lead. Adler settled in the second and struck out two in a quick one-two-three inning. D'Amico singled in the bottom of the second but was stranded on the bases. Webster tacked on three runs in the third to take a 5-0 lead.
The fourth and fifth were quick innings for both teams as both pitchers threw up more zeros on the scoreboard. With one out in the sixth, the Gorloks strung together three singles to load the bases and knock Adler from the game. Freshman Alejandro Zozaya was called on to face the heart of the lineup, and he picked up the second out inducing a ground ball. The following at bat was a battle between Zozaya and Webster's top hitter. With a full count, LaRocca prevailed with a grand slam. Zozaya responded by getting the next batter to ground out. In his two and two thirds innings of work, Zozaya struck out four and only walked one. The Panthers were unable to plate a run and lost game two 10-0 as Webster extended their winning streak to 11.
Up Next: The Panthers will travel to Carlinville, IL on April 22nd and 23rd to face the Blackburn Beavers.
