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2008 Blue Jay Seniors
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2008 Westminster College Baseball Season Photos (click below):
http://www.shutterfly.com/pro/Westminster/WCBaseball2008Six Blue Jay Players Honored By Conference Baseball Coaches
Although the 2008 Westminster College baseball season ended in disappointing fashion with the cancellation of the conference tournament, six Blue Jay players have been honored by the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference coaches and the 2008 season was the most successful season in recent history.
Joe Leake and Mike Silver have been named to the all-conference first team. Leake, a junior shortstop from St. Louis, Missouri (Vianney High School), batted .358 with 43 runs scored and led the team with 109 put outs. Silver, a junior from Florissant, Missouri (McCluer North High School) was honored as designated hitter. Silver batted .361, tied for the team lead with 44 hits, and led the team with 15 doubles, 10 home runs and 42 RBI.
Jesse Jett, a senior third baseman from Owensville, Missouri (Owensville High School), was named to the all-conference second team. Jett led the team with a .367 batting average. He tied for the team lead with 44 hits and drew 26 walks to lead the team with a .486 on-base percentage, while recording a team-high 10 stolen bases.
Mike Oliveri, VJ Reynolds and Grant Shell earned honorable mention all-conference plaudits. Oliveri, a sophomore pitcher from Clayton, Missouri (Clayton High School), went 2-2 with a 2.00 ERA over 27 innings. He led the team with 16 appearances and led the team and conference with six saves. Reynolds, a freshman outfielder from St. Charles, Missouri (Francis Howell Central High School), batted .313 and finished second on the team with seven stolen bases. Shell, a senior first baseman from St. Louis, Missouri (Parkway West High School), batted .339 with five home runs and 38 RBI. He led the team in at-bats (127), slugging percentage (.543), and put outs (318).
Westminster finished the season 23-13, which is the first winning season in six years. And, the Blue Jays placed second in the league standings at 16-8, their highest league finish since the 2002 squad placed second.
2008 St. Louis Intercollegiate
Athletic Conference
Baseball Championships
Saucier Field
Westminster College
Fulton, Mo.
Tournament Cancelled
2008 Revised SLIAC Baseball Tournament Schedule:
Friday, May 9 (at Westminster College, Fulton, Mo.)
Game #1: #3 Maryville 13, #2 Westminster 8
Game #2: #1 Webster 12, #4 Greenville 2 (7 inn)
Saturday, May 10 (at Westminster College)
Game #3: Westminster 11, Greenville 1 (7 inn)
Game #4: Maryville vs. Webster, Halted, Rain, Cancelled
Game #5: Westminster vs. Game 4 loser, Cancelled
Sunday, May 11 (at Westminster College)
Game #6: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, Cancelled
Game #7: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner (if needed)
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Blue Jays Win SLIAC Elimination Game, But 2008 Season Is Over
Westminster College defeated Greenville College 11-1 in a rain-delayed elimination game of the 2008 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Baseball Championships Saturday on Saucier Field in Fulton. However, because of the rain, delays and field conditions, the tournament was cancelled, ending Westminster’s season.
The Blue Jays (23-13) took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Aaron Miller led off the game with a school record-tying walk and scored on an RBI-single by Mike Silver. Miller finished the season with 43 walks, equaling the school record set in 1989 by Pat Lane.
With the score tied 1-1 after the first inning, Westminster broke the game open, scoring two runs in the second inning and four runs in the third inning. The four-run third inning was highlighted by back-to-back home runs by Silver and Jesse Jett. The Blue Jays tallied four runs in the sixth inning, highlighted by Grant Shell’s two-run home run. Joe Leake led the Westminster offense, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Miller, Silver, Jett, Shell and Jimmy Gesling recorded two hits each.
Curt Byrd allowed Greenville (20-19) just single hits in both the sixth and seventh innings to pick up the win in a game called after seven innings on the ten-run rule. Byrd (5-3) allowed one earned run on eight hits, while walking three and striking out five batters over seven innings.
While the game turned out to be the 2008 season finale for the Blue Jays, it also marked the end of the collegiate playing careers for seniors Miller, Jett, Shell, Tom Causino, Cory Grewe, Tyler Shalbot and Phillip Stoll.
Tournament Notes: Thursday’s games were postponed…Friday’s schedule was delayed and adjusted…Saturday’s schedule was adjusted, delayed and cancelled. And, Webster University, the regular-season champion, was awarded the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championships.
Second-Seeded Westminster Drops SLIAC Tournament Opener
Second-seeded Westminster College dropped a 13-8 decision to third-seeded Maryville University in first-round action of the 2008 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Baseball Championships Friday on Saucier Field in Fulton. The tournament has been delayed a day because of rain.
The Blue Jays (22-13) fell behind 6-0 after the top of the fourth inning, but rallied back with four runs on four hits in the home half of the fourth. After Maryville (20-19) tallied a lone run to go up 7-4 in the fifth inning, the Blue Jays took an 8-7 lead in the home half of the fifth inning, highlighted by Mike Silver’s three-run homer to left field. Maryville tallied five runs in the eighth inning to put the game away.
Westminster tallied eight runs on eight hits, with Silver, Jesse Jett and Grant Shell each going 2-for-4. Silver scored two runs and drove in three runs, while Jett drove in a pair of runs. Maryville scored 13 runs, seven earned, on 17 hits against four Westminster pitchers. Mike Oliveri (2-2) took the loss in relief of Phillip Stoll and Tom Causino. Gary Johnson pitched one inning of one-hit relief.
The Blue Jays face fourth-seeded Greenville College at 2:00 p.m. Saturday in an elimination game. Greenville dropped its opener 12-2 to top-seeded and league champion Webster University.
Westminster To Begin Baseball Tournament Play Thursday
Westminster College begins play in the 2008 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Baseball Championships at 4:00 p.m. Thursday against Maryville University at Principia College in Elsah.
The Blue Jays (22-12) are the second seed, while Maryville (19-19) is seeded third. In other first round action Thursday, top-seeded Webster University (27-13) meets fourth-seeded Greenville College (20-17). The double-elimination tournament continues Friday and concludes Saturday.
2008 SLIAC Baseball Tournament Schedule:
Thursday, May 8 (at Principia College, Elsah, Ill.)
Game #1: #2 Westminster vs. #3 Maryville, 4:00 p.m.
Game #2: #1 Webster vs. #4 Greenville, 7:00 p.m.
Friday, May 9 (at Principia College, Elsah, Ill.)
Game #3: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, 1:00 p.m.
Game #4: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 4:00 p.m.
Game #5: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 10 (at Gordon Moore Park, Alton, Ill.)
Game #6: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, TBA
Game #7: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, TBA (if needed)
Westminster By The Numbers:
Westminster is 20-11 in nine SLIAC tournament appearances...
This is Westminster's first tournament appearance since 2006...
The Blue Jays have won three tournament titles ('94, '95, and '99)...
Westminster finished second in both 1993 and 1996...
The Blue Jays placed third in both 2005 and 2006...
Westminster is 2-7 against the field; WU (0-3), MU (1-2), GC (1-2)...
Westminster's Oliveri Earns Honor, Blue Jays Earn Second Seed
Westminster College's Mike Oliveri, a sophomore from Clayton, Missouri (Clayton High School), has been named the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week for the week of April 21-27.
Oliveri appeared in relief in three games, throwing 5.1 scoreless innings. He gave up only four hits, one walk and struck out four batters, while earning his league-leading sixth save of the season in a 4-1 victory at Blackburn College. For the season, Oliveri has pitched 26 innings and has compiled a 2-1 record with six saves and a 1.38 ERA. He has allowed 19 hits, seven runs and four earned runs with six walks and 13 strike outs.
Oliveri and the Blue Jays finished the season 22-12 and placed second in the conference standings at 16-8 to earn the second seed for the conference tournament May 8-10.
2008 SLIAC Baseball Tournament Schedule:
Thursday, May 8 (at Principia College, Elsah, Ill.)
Game #1: #2 Westminster vs. #3 Maryville, 4:00 p.m.
Game #2: #1 Webster vs. #4 Greenville, 7:00 p.m.
Friday, May 9 (at Principia College, Elsah, Ill.)
Game #3: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, 1:00 p.m.
Game #4: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 4:00 p.m.
Game #5: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 10 (at Gordon Moore Park, Alton, Ill.)
Game #6: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, TBA
Game #7: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner (if necessary), TBA
Silver Delivers Game-Winning Hit, Westminster Wins Finale
Mike Silver delivered a two-out bases-loaded hit to drive in James Chadbourne with the winning run in the 10th inning as the Westminster College baseball squad concluded the 2008 regular season with a 7-6 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference win over Blackburn College Sunday in Fulton. The Blue Jays (22-12, 16-8 SLIAC) have secured a berth in the SLIAC Tournament May 8-10.
Westminster grabbed four leads in the game, but the visitors tied the score each time. With the score tied 5-5 heading into the 10th inning, Zach Wilhelmi gave Blackburn (11-26, 9-13 SLIAC) its first lead with a lead-off homer to right field. The Blue Jays rallied back, using a hit batsman, a walk and two infield hits to knot the score at 6-6, setting the stage for Silver's heroics.
Wes Gill went 3-for-5 with an infield hit in the 10th inning. Chris Barrett went 2-for-5 with an RBI infield hit in the 10th inning, Joe Leake went 2-for-4 with one RBI, and Silver went 2-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBI. Senior Aaron Miller, who entered the week fourth nationally in walks a game, went 1-for-4 with two runs scored and two walks. Seniors Tyler Shalbot, Tom Causino and Cory Grewe combined to pitch Westminster to victory, with Grewe (3-0) getting the win in relief.
The win was special for the seven seniors who were making their final appearance on Saucier Field. Miller, Shalbot, Causino, Grewe, Jesse Jett, Grant Shell and Phillip Stoll were honored before Sunday's game.
Blue Jays Sweep Twin Bill And Secure SLIAC Playoff Berth
The Westminster College baseball squad swept a doubleheader from Blackburn College Saturday in Carlinville, Illinois, and locked up a berth in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference playoffs in the process. The Blue Jays (21-12, 15-8 SLIAC) won both games by identical 4-1 scores and knocked Blackburn (11-25, 9-12 SLIAC) from playoff contention.
Curt Byrd (4-3) and Mike Oliveri pitched Westminster to victory in the opener. Byrd allowed one run on seven hits and two walks over six innings while striking out five batters. Oliveri pitched a scoreless seventh inning to record his league-leading sixth save. Mike Silver went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI to pace the Blue Jay offense, and Grant Shell went 2-for-3 with an RBI.
Cody Blount (4-2) went the distance on the mound in the second game, allowing Blackburn one run on five hits and a walk over seven inning while striking out three. Silver took hitting honors, going 3-for-4 with an RBI and recording his team-high eighth home run of the season.
Westminster and Blackburn meet at 3:00 p.m. Sunday in Fulton, in the third and final game of the conference series, and Westminster's final regular-season contest. Seniors Tom Causino, Cory Grewe, Jesse Jett, Aaron Miller, Tyler Shalbot, Grant Shell and Phillip Stoll will be recognized before the contest.
Westminster Leaves Key Runs On Base In 8-7 Home Loss
The Westminster College Blue Jays left the tying and wining runs on base in their last at-bat in an 8-7 loss to league-leading Webster University in St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference baseball Wednesday evening in Fulton.
Westminster (19-12, 13-8 SLIAC) fell behind 3-0 after the top of the first inning. Trailing 5-0, the Blue Jays tallied two runs in the fourth inning. With the score 8-5 entering the bottom of the ninth inning, Westminster rallied with two outs, scoring two runs on three hits and a walk. But, the rally ended and Webster (21-11, 16-2 SLIAC) escaped with the win and a three-game sweep of the conference series.
Jesse Jett led the Blue Jay attack, going 3-for-5 at the plate with two RBI and two runs scored. VJ Reynolds and Joe Leake each added a pair of hits and each scored a run. Aaron Miller, who entered the week fourth nationally in base on balls per game (1.17), drew two walks and recorded a pair of hits. Miller has recorded 37 walks in 31 games (1.19 per game). Phillip Stoll (3-3) took the loss on the mound, allowing five earned runs on 10 hits and two walks over six innings. Tom Causino and Mike Oliveri pitched in relief.
Westminster meets Blackburn College in a key conference series this weekend. Both Westminster and Blackburn are in the hunt for a berth in the four-team conference play-offs.
Weekend Schedule:
Sat., April 26, * at Blackburn (DH), Carlinville, Ill., 2:00
Sun., April 27, * Blackburn (1-9), Home, 3:00
* SLIAC Contests
Blue Jays Drop 11-8 SLIAC Contest On The Road In Illinois
The Westminster Blue Jays fell 11-8 to Greenville College Monday in St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference baseball action in Greenville, Illinois.
Greenville (11-14, 6-8 SLIAC) grabbed an early 7-3 lead, but Westminster (19-11, 13-7 SLIAC) tied the score 7-7 in the top of the fourth inning. Greenville tallied three runs in the fifth inning and held on to win. Aaron Miller went 3-for-5 and scored two runs to lead the Blue Jays. Jimmy Gesling went 3-for-4 with a run scored, and Mike Silver and Joe Leake each finished with two hits and two RBI. Cody Blount (3-2) took the loss in relief of Cory Grewe.
Shalbot Pitches Westminster To A 17-2 Non-Conference Win
Tyler Shalbot (2-2) limited Lincoln Christian College to two runs on two hits and a walk, and struck out five batters, in Westminster's 17-2 non-conference baseball victory Friday afternoon in Lincoln, Illinois.
Jimmy Gesling went 3-for-4 with two RBI and three runs scored to pace the Westminster offense, and James Chadbourne went 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored for a Blue Jay team that stands 19-10 heading into Saturday's doubleheader with Lincoln Christian.
Blue Jays Manage Just Six Hits In 12-4 Non-Conference Loss
The Blue Jays managed just six hits in falling 12-4 to Washington University in non-conference baseball Wednesday in Fulton.
Washington U. (11-9) grabbed a 4-0 lead in the top of the first inning and never trailed. Westminster (18-10) tallied single runs in the first, third, sixth and seventh innings. Jesse Jett went 2-for-4 with two RBI and VJ Reynolds went 1-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI coming on his first home run of the season, a solo shot to right field in the first inning. Tom Causino (3-1) took the loss, allowing six runs on 12 hits over five innings. Cory Grewe gave up four runs and three unearned runs on four hits in two innings of relief, and Mike Oliveri allowed two unearned runs on two hits and two walks in two innings of relief.
Westminster Ten-Game Winning Streak Comes To An End
Westminster saw its 10-game baseball winning streak halted, dropping a pair of St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference games to league-leading and defending conference champion Webster University Tuesday in Sauget, Illinois.
The Blue Jays fell behind 5-0 after three innings in the opener, cut the deficit to 5-3 after five innings, but got no closer in a 7-3 loss. Grant Shell went 1-for-4 with 2 RBI and Joe Leake went 1-for-3 with two runs scored. Cody Blount (3-1) took the loss, allowing five runs and three earned runs on six hits and five walks over five innings, while striking out three batters. Tyler Shalbot allowed two unearned runs on one hit in one inning of relief.
Westminster (18-9, 13-6 SLIAC) managed just two hits in dropping an 8-3 decision in the nightcap to Webster (16-10, 12-2 SLIAC). Mike Silver went 1-for-3 with two RBI and Wes Gill singled in the seventh inning. Curt Byrd (3-3) gave up eight runs on seven hits, three walks and two hit batsmen over six innings, while striking out three batters.
Blue Jays Record Twin Bill Sweep To Extend Winning Streak
Westminster College swept a pair of games from Principia College Monday in Fulton to extend its St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference baseball winning streak to ten games.
After playing four scoreless innings in the opener, the Blue Jays broke the game open, scoring four runs in the fifth inning and three runs in the sixth inning of a 7-0 win. Seven Westminster players recorded hits with Grady Lincalis scoring a pair of runs. Phillip Stoll and Mike Oliveri combined to shut out Principia. Stoll picked (3-2) picked up the win, limiting Principia to seven hits and one walk, and struck out three batters over six innings. Oliveri pitched one inning of shut-out relief.
Principia (7-15, 1-9 SLIAC) took a 1-0 lead in the first inning of the nightcap, but Westminster tied the game in the second inning, took the lead for good with a five-run third inning and added an insurance run in the fourth inning of a 7-1 victory. VJ Reynolds and Lincalis each recorded a pair of hits, and Jordan Felter scored two runs. Cory Grewe (2-0) recorded the win, allowing one run on one hit and two walks, and struck out five batters over five innings. Gary Johnson and Brett Bronenkamp each pitched one inning of shut-out relief.
Westminster (18-7, 13-4 SLIAC) meets league-leading and defending conference champion Webster University Tuesday in Sauget, Illinois. Webster (14-10, 10-2 SLIAC) has won four in a row and seven-of-eight games entering Tuesday's 5:00 p.m. doubleheader.
Westminster Wins Eighth Conference Game In A Row
Westminster College captured its eighth consecutive St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference baseball win in a row and now has won 9-of-10 games with a 17-2 victory over Principia College Friday in Elsah, Illinois.
The Blue Jays (16-7, 11-4 SLIAC) got solid pitching from Tom Causino (3-0), who allowed one run on three hits and five walks over six innings, while striking out four batters. Mike Silver went 2-for-3 at the plate, scored two runs, and drove in four runs with a double and his team-leading sixth home run of the season. VJ Reynolds went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and three RBI.
Saturday's doubleheader with Principia (7-13, 1-7 SLIAC) has been postponed until Monday at 5:00 p.m. in Fulton.
Blue Jays Complete Rare SLIAC Sweep On Trip To St. Louis
The Westminster College baseball squad captured two St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference wins over two different opponents at two different locations Wednesday in St. Louis.
The Blue Jays (15-7, 10-4 SLIAC) began the day with a 5-0 win at Maryville University (10-11, 6-3 SLIAC). Westminster scored two runs in the first inning and added single runs in the fourth, sixth and ninth innings, which was more than enough for Cody Blunt (3-0) and Mike Oliveri, who combined on a six-hit shut out. Mike Silver paced the offense, going 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored, including his team leading fifth home run in the ninth inning.
Westminster concluded the day with a 5-3 win over Fontbonne University (9-13, 7-8 SLIAC) at Shaw Park. The Blue Jays scored their five runs in the third inning. VJ Reynolds, Silver and Jesse Jett each recorded two hits and one run scored, while Jimmy Gesling drove in a pair of runs. Curt Byrd (3-2) picked up the win, shutting out Fontbonne over seven innings.
Westminster's Leake Named Conference Hitter Of Week
Joe Leake, a junior shortstop from St. Louis, Missouri (Vianney High School), has been named the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Baseball Hitter of the Week for Marh 31-April 6.
Leake, a shortstop, hit .500 (8-for-16) with three doubles, two home runs, 10 RBI and seven runs scored in five games during the week. He went 4-for-6 in Westminster’s doubleheader sweep of Fontbonne, including a 3-for-4 performance with two RBI and two runs scored in the nightcap. Leake had four hits in three games against MacMurray, going 2-for-3 with two doubles, three RBI and two runs scored in the opener of the doubleheader. He finished his week with a 2-for-4, five-RBI performance in a nine-inning win over MacMurray with a home run and two runs scored.
Blue Jays Complete Three-Game Sweep, Now Second
Westminster College completed a three-game sweep of MacMurray College in St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference baseball with a 14-10 victory Sunday in Jacksonville, Illinois. In the process the Blue Jays (13-7, 8-4 SLIAC) moved into a tie for second in the league standings. MacMurray falls to 4-13 overall and 1-9 in league play.
Joe Leake paced the Westminster offense, going 2-for-4 with two runs scored, five RBI and a home run. Grant Shell went 2-for-5 with two runs scored, a home run and two RBI, and VJ Reynolds added a pair of hits and two RBI. Phillip Stoll picked up the win, allowing two unearned runs on nine hits and two walks, while striking out nine batters over seven innings of the nine-inning game.
Westminster Overcomes Deficit And Sweeps Twin Bill
The Westminster College baseball squad rallied from an 8-3 deficit to win 12-9 in the first game and completed a sweep of its St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference doubleheader over MacMurray College with an 11-0 victory Saturday in Fulton.
MacMurray scored eight runs on four homers to lead 8-3 after four and one-half innings in the opener, but the Blue Jays tallied three runs in the fifth inning and six runs in the sixth inning to grab the win. Joe Leake recorded two hits, drove in three runs and scored two runs to pace the offense. Wes Gill and Mike Silver each finished with two hits, two RBI and two runs scored. Gary Johnson (1-0) picked up the win in relief of Tyler Shalbot and Mike Oliveri recorded his fourth save of the season.
The Blue Jays (12-7, 7-4 SLIAC) tallied five runs in both the second and fifth innings in shutting out MacMurray 11-0 in the nightcap. Aaron Miller and Silver each recorded two hits, including their fourth home runs of the season, and each drove in four runs, while Chris Barrett recorded a pair of hits and drive in two runs. Tom Causino (2-0) limited MacMurray (4-12, 1-8 SLIAC) to three hits to pick up the win, and Brett Bronenkamp pitched an inning of hitless relief.
Blue Jays Move To 10-7 Overall And 5-4 In League Play
The Westminster Blue Jay baseball squad improved to 10-7 overall and 5-4 in league play with a St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference doubleheader sweep of Fontbonne University Wednesday in Fulton. Westminster won 7-6 and 7-5.
The Blue Jays rallied from an early 4-1 deficit to win the first game 7-6. Mike Silver and VJ Reynolds each recorded two hits, and Jesse Jett recorded his first home run of the season, a two-run shot in the third inning, to lead the offense. Curt Byrd (2-2) picked up the win and Mike Oliveri recorded his second save of the season.
Westminster jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the nightcap and withstood a late Fontbonne rally, scoring a pair of late runs for a 7-5 victory. Grant Shell went 3-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored, and Joe Leake added three hits, including his first home run of the year. Silver recorded his third home run of the season. Oliveri (2-1) shut out Fontbonne over 2.1 innings to pick up the pitching win in relief of Cody Blount.
Westminster Snaps Losing Streak, But Settles For Split
Westminster College snapped a three-game losing streak in St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference baseball action with a 12-8 win over Greenville College in the first game of a conference doubleheader Saturday in Fulton. The Blue Jays fell 11-6 in the nightcap of the twin bill, which was moved to Fulton because of poor field conditions at Greenville.
Westminster jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the first inning of the first game, but Greenville tied the score 6-6 in the third inning. The Blue Jays scored single runs in the fourth and sixth innings, sandwiched around a four-run fifth to secure the victory. Grant Shell went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and two RBI. Jesse Jett added two hits and two RBI. Tyler Shalbot picked up the win in relief of Cory Grewe. Curt Byrd and Mike Oliveri pitched in relief with Oliveri picking up the save.
Greenville took an early 3-0 in the first inning of the nightcap with two home runs. However, Westminster gained a 4-3 lead in the second inning on a pair of two-run homers by Grant Shell and Aaron Miller. Greenville (6-9, 2-3 SLIAC) and Westminster (8-7, 3-4 SLIAC) exchanged leads until Greenville put the game away with a six-run fifth inning. Shell recorded two hits, scored two runs and drove in three runs. Jimmy Gesling recorded a pair of hits. Phillip Stoll took the loss while Tom Causino and Gary Johnson saw action in relief.
Westminster Loses Early Lead And SLIAC Twin Bill
After letting a 4-1 lead slip away in the first game, the Westminster College baseball squad could not recover and dropped a St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference doubleheader to Maryville University Monday in Fulton.
With the score tied 1-1 after two innings in the opener, the Blue Jays scored two runs on two hits and an error in the third inning, and Mike Silver hit his second home run of the season over the right field fence with two outs in the fifth inning to give Westminster a 4-1 advantage. But, Maryville tallied eight runs on seven hits and two Blue Jay errors in the top of the sixth inning in a 9-4 win. Phillip Stoll (1-1) was saddled with the loss, allowing eight runs and six earned runs over 5.1 innings, before being relieved by Mike Oliveri.
Maryville scored quickly in the nightcap, scoring four runs in the first inning and led 7-0 after three innings. Westminster tallied three runs on four hits and an error in the fifth inning, but Maryville put the game away with a four-run fifth. Jesse Jett, Jimmy Gesling and VJ Reynolds each recorded a pair of hits for Westminster. Curt Byrd (1-2) took the loss with relief help from four other Blue Jay pitchers.
Westminster (7-6, 2-3 SLIAC) and Maryville (6-7, 2-0 SLIAC) conclude the three-game conference series at 5:00 p.m. Wednesday in St. Louis.
Blue Jays Win SLIAC Series, But Split Saturday's Games
Westminster College won the first two games of its St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference baseball series with Eureka College to win the series 2-1, but the Blue Jays could not sweep all three games, splitting a doubleheader with Eureka Saturday in Fulton.
The Blue Jays (7-4, 2-1 SLIAC) won Friday's single game 6-3, and then won Saturday's first game by a 10-0 score. Westminster led 2-0 after two innings of play and then erupted for eight runs in the sixth inning. Joe Leake paced the offense, going 2-for-3 with two RBI and three runs scored. Jordan Felter and Grant Shell each drove in a pair of runs and scored a run. Meanwhile, Cody Blount (2-0) went the distance on the mound, shutting out Eureka on three hits over seven innings.
In Saturday's second game, Eureka jumped out to a 2-0 lead after two innings and it held up for a 2-1 Eureka win. VJ Reynolds drove in Chris Barrett with the only Westminster run in the fifth inning. However, the Blue Jays managed just four singles and six runners were stranded on base. Tyler Shalbot (0-2) took the loss, allowing two runs and one earned run on five hits in seven innings. The win was the first of the season for Eureka (1-8, 1-2 SLIAC). Benji Cashdollar held Westminster to one run on four hits over six innings to get the win and Keith Moore pitched a shut out seventh inning for the save.
Blue Jays Use A Six-Run Rally To Win Conference Opener
Westminster College scored six runs in the top of the ninth inning to top Eureka College 6-3 in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opener for both teams Friday in Fulton. Since the three-game series is being played in Fulton, Eureka was the home team for Friday's contest. The series concludes Saturday with a 12:00 noon doubleheader.
The Blue Jays (6-3, 1-0 SLIAC) trailed 3-0 entering the ninth inning. Seven hits and six runs later, Westminster had scored enough to secure the win. VJ Reynolds went 3-for-4 in the game, while Mike Silver and Joe Leake each recorded a pair of hits. Mike Oliveri picked up the win in relief of Cory Grewe. Oliveri (1-1) shut out Eureka on two hits over 2.2 innings of work. Benji Cashdollar went 3-for-5 at the plate for Eureka (0-7, 0-1 SLIAC).
Westminster Rallies For Victory, But Settles For A Split
The Westminster College baseball team split a non-conference baseball doubleheader with Wisconsin-Platteville Sunday in Fulton, winning the first game 9-6 and dropping the nightcap 9-0.
The Blue Jays (5-3) scored seven runs in the sixth inning to rally from a 5-2 deficit in winning the opener, 9-6. Mike Silver recorded two hits and scored a pair of runs, Joe Leake recorded two hits and drove in two runs, VJ Reynolds recorded two hits and Grant Shell drove in two runs. Tom Causino (1-0) picked up the win, allowing six unearned runs on nine hits over six innings. Mike Oliveri pitched one shut-out inning to record the save.
Jesse Jett and Leake recorded the only hits as Westminster fell in the nightcap, 9-0. Tyler Shalbot (0-1) took the loss, allowing seven runs and five earned runs on seven hits over four innings.
Blue Jays Squander Two Leads, Drop Non-Conference Pair
Westminster College let leads slip away in two games and dropped a non-conference baseball doubleheader to Grinnell College Sunday on Saucier Field in Fulton.
The Blue Jays led the opener 7-5, but Grinnell tallied four runs on three hits in the top of the seventh inning to secure the 9-7 win. Wes Gill and Jesse Jet each finished with two hits and two RBI to pace the offense, while Joe Leake added a pair of hits and Tyler Shalbot scored two runs. Mike Oliveri took the loss in relief of Tom Causino. Oliveri allowed four runs on two hits and three walks over 2.1 innings.
Westminster (4-2) held a 4-3 lead heading into the top of the seventh inning in the nightcap when Grinnell (2-2) tallied three runs on three hits and a two-run error to pull out a 6-4 victory. Mike Silver and Oliveri each went 2-for-4 and Aaron Miller scored two runs. Curt Byrd took the loss in relief of Shalbot and Gary Johnson. Byrd gave up three runs, two unearned, on three hits and a two-run error in one inning of work.
Cold Temperatures Cause Adjustment Of Schedule
Saturday's Westminster College baseball action with Grinnell College has been postponed or cancelled (see schedule below).
Baseball:
Sat., March 8, Grinnell (1-9), Home, Postponed (See 3/9)
Sun., March 9, Grinnell (DH), Home, 12:00
JV Baseball:
Sat., March 8, Grinnell (1-7), Home, Cancelled
Mon., March 10, Mesabi Range CC (DH), Home, 2:00
Thursday Games Called Off Due To Cool Temperatures
Both the Westminster College baseball and softball games, scheduled for Thursday in Fulton, have been called off because of the threat of cool temperatures.
The baseball games with Washington University have been rescheduled for Wednesday, April 16, at 3:00 p.m., and the softball games with Central Methodist University have not been rescheduled at this time. A decision on the women's home tennis match with Stephens College will be made later.
Miller And Byrd Capture Player Of The Week Awards
Westminster College swept the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Baseball Player of the Week honors with senior Aaron Miller earning hitter of the week for February 25-March 2 and sophomore Curt Byrd earning pitcher of the week recognition.
Miller, a senior catcher from Marthasville, Missouri (St. Francis Borgia HS/Mineral Area CC), batted .625 (5-of-8) in four games in leading Westminster College to a 4-0 start. Miller led off the Blue Jay season with a solo home run against Robert Morris-Springfield and finished that game with two home runs in a 10-3 win. During the four games, he scored seven runs and drove in five runs with two doubles and two home runs. He walked nine times and was hit twice while striking out twice. Defensively, Miller caught the first three games and recorded 20 puts outs with no errors. In the fourth game, a 10-2 win over Earlham, Miller drew five walks as the designated hitter.
Byrd, a sophomore pitcher from Vienna, Missouri (Vienna High School), recorded the victory in a 10-2 win over Earlham, Westminster's final game of weekend. Byrd went six innings, allowing two runs and one earned run on two hits. He struck out five, walked none and hit two batters.
Westminster Runs Season Record To 4-0 With Sweep
Westminster College recorded two baseball victories over Earlham College to improve to 4-0 on the season Sunday in Fulton. Earlham fell to 2-2.
The Blue Jays scored seven runs in the sixth inning to rally from a 5-2 deficit to win the first game 9-5. Wes Gill went 4-for-4 and Mike Silver recorded his first home run of the season while scoring twice. Silver, Aaron Miller and Grant Shell each drove in a pair of runs. Phil Stoll picked up the win on the mound, allowing five unearned runs on nine hits over six innings. Tom Causino pitched a shut-out seventh inning.
Westminster jumped out to a 9-1 lead after three innings in taking the nightcap 10-2. Grant Shell went 4-for-4 and Joe Leake went 2-for-5 with two runs scored and three RBI. Grady Lincalis and Mike Oliveri each recorded their first home runs of the season. Curt Byrd got the pitching win, allowing one earned run on two hits. Jon Simpher pitched an inning of one-hit relief.
Schedule Note: This weekend's action was the first of a 15-game home stand which continues Thursday.
Upcoming Games:
Thurs., March 6, Washington U. (DH), Home, 12:00
Sat., March 8, Grinnell (1-9), Home, 1:00
Sun., March 9, Grinnell (1-9), Home, 12:00
Blue Jays Open The 2008 Season With Pair Of Wins
Westminster College opened the 2008 baseball season with a doubleheader sweep of Robert Morris-Springfield Saturday on Saucier Field in Fulton. The Blue Jays (2-0) won the first game 10-3 and took the second game 10-6, keeping Robert Morris winless at 0-5.
Aaron Miller got Westminster off on the right foot in the opener, leading off the first inning with a home run over the right field fence. Miller went 3-for-4 with two runs scored, three RBI and two home runs in a 10-3 victory. Grant Shell recorded two hits, including a three-run home run in the third inning. Cory Grewe picked up the win, allowing three runs on four hits over four innings, and got relief help from Mike Oliveri and Brett Bronenkamp.
The Blue Jays jumped out to a 7-1 lead in the second game and withstood a late Robert Morris rally to win 10-6. Joe Leake went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and Jesse Jett recorded three hits and five RBI. Cody Blount recorded the win, allowing six runs and one earned run on six hits over 4.2 innings. Gary Johnson pitched 2.1 innings of scoreless baseball to record the save.
The Next Blue Jay Action:
Sun., March 2, Earlham, Ind. (DH), Home, 11:00
Westminster Baseball And Softball Schedules Adjusted
The Westminster College baseball and softball schedules for this weekend have changed because of field conditions. The Blue Jay baseball squad was originally scheduled to play on the road, but now the Blue Jays open their season with a home doubleheader against Robert Morris-Springfield Saturday, and then host Earlham College Sunday. The Westminster softball home opener against William Woods University on Sunday has been moved to William Woods.
Baseball
Sat., March 1, Robert Morris-Springfield (DH), Home, 12:00
Sun., March 2, Earlham, Ind. (DH), Home, 11:00
Softball
Sun., March 2, at William Woods (DH), Fulton, Mo., 12:30
Season Opener With Lincoln Postponed, Game Rescheduled
The current field conditions and weather forecast have caused postponement of Westminster College's season-opening baseball game with Lincoln University. Tuesday's 3:00 p.m. contest has been rescheduled for 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 12, on Saucier Field.
Upcoming Schedule
Sat., March 1, at Rob. Morris-Springfield (DH), Springfield, Ill., 1:00
Sun., March 2, vs. Earlham (DH), St. Louis, Mo. (at Maryville), 12:00
Thurs., March 6, Washington U. (DH), Home, 12:00
Sat., March 8, Grinnell (1-9), Home, 1:00
Sun., March 9, Grinnell (1-9), Home, 12:00
Wed., March 12, Lincoln U. (1-9), Home, 3:00
2008 Baseball Season Scheduled To Begin February 26
The Westminster College baseball season is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, February 26, when Lincoln University visits Fulton for a 3:00 p.m. contest on Saucier Field.
For the Blue Jays, who failed to make the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament field last year, the 2008 season is a chance for redemption. This year's squad can snap a streak of five losing seasons and make a bid for a conference title Westminster last won in 2001. This is the challenge facing a squad composed of six seniors, four juniors, nine sophomores and 10 freshmen. And, it will be the responsibility of key returnees to produce early while the newcomers learn the system and get acclimated.
Aaron Miller and Joe Leake are the only returning players to receive post-season honors a year ago. Miller, a senior catcher, earned second team all-conference recognition while leading the team in hitting (.339), runs (33), hits (42), RBI (27) and stolen bases (8-of-11) last season. Leake, a junior short stop, was a second team all-league pick, who batted .304 and drew a team-high 23 walks in 2007.
Jesse Jett and Mike Silver are two returning starters who will be looked to for offense. Jett, a senior infielder, batted .325 a year ago and drove in 26 runs. Silver, a junior outfielder, batted .252, scored 23 runs and drove in 22 runs. Senior Grant Shell returns to first base after appearing in 23 games last year. He batted .323 and led the team with 130 put outs.
Pitching could be a strong point for Westminster with the return of three starters, led by senior Phillip Stoll, who finished 5-4 a year ago with a 3.43 ERA. Stoll pitched a team-high 57.2 innings and recorded a team-high 31 strike outs. Senior Tyler Shalbot went 2-2, compiled a 3.67 ERA and recorded 17 strike outs in 34.1 innings. Sophomore Curt Byrd worked his way into the starting rotation last year, compiling a 3-1 record and a 3.25 ERA. He struck out 19 batters in 36 innings of work.
Baseball And Softball Teams Both Sixth In SLIAC Polls
Westminster College is picked sixth in both the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference preseason baseball and softball polls, which are voted on by the conference coaches.
The Blue Jay baseball squad finished the 2007 season 15-21 overall and sixth in the league standings at 9-9. Webster University is the defending SLIAC league and tournament champion.
Westminster concluded the 2007 softball season with a 9-29 overall mark and placed seventh in the league at 4-10. Webster is the defending league and tournament champion.
2008 Preseason Polls
(first-place votes)
Baseball
1. Webster (8)
2. Greenville
3. Maryville (1)
4. Blackburn
5. Fontbonne
6. Westminster
7. Principia
8. Eureka
9. MacMurray
Softball
1. Webster (3)
2. Maryville (4)
3. Fontbonne
4. Greenville
5. Blackburn
6. Westminster
7. Eureka
8. MacMurray