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2008 Alumni Game Participants
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Ten Westminster Student-Athletes Earn SLIAC RecognitionTen Westminster College student-athletes are included among the 93 student-athletes who have been named to the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Spring All-Academic Team (
click here for SLIAC release).
Silver Named To CoSIDA Academic All-District First TeamWestminster College senior baseball player Mike Silver has been named to the 2009 ESPN the Magazine College Division Academic All-District VII First Team as a designated hitter, as announced by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Silver's name will now appear on the national ballot.
Silver, a senior designated hitter/outfielder from Florissant, Missouri (McCluer North High School), is a Dean's List student and a member of Chi Alpha Sigma, the National College Athlete Honor Society. He earned academic all-conference honors and was named first team all-conference as a designated hitter as a junior, and this past season he earned second-team all-league honors and is an academic all-league pick. Silver started all 35 games this season and finished second on the team in hitting percentage (.361) and led the team in at-bats (119), hits (43), doubles (11), triples (4), home runs (7) and RBI (33). During his four-year career, Silver appeared in 127 games and compiled a career batting average of .329 with 132 hits, 100 runs scored, 121 RBI and 23 home runs. Silver has graduated with degrees in accounting and business administration (
click for academic all-district teams).
Westminster Baseball Players Earn SLIAC RecognitionThree members of the 2009 Westminster College baseball squad have been recognized by the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (click for more).Blue Jays Close Out 2009 Season With Three Road Losses Westminster College dropped all three games of a St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference baseball series to Greenville College to close out the 2009 season this past weekend in Greenville, Illinois. The Blue Jays (8-27, 6-17 SLIAC) lost 5-1, 8-4 and 15-12 (click for stats).Westminster Blue Jays Close Out Home Schedule With Two WinsThe Westminster College baseball squad closed out the 2009 home schedule with a 19-9 win over Blackburn College in St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action Sunday in Fulton. With the victory the Blue Jays (8-24, 6-14 SLIAC) captured the three game series 2-1 over Blackburn (13-18, 11-11 SLIAC). Blackburn won Saturday’s first game 10-7 and Westminster took Saturday’s nightcap 12-5.Westminster jumped out to an early 6-0 lead Sunday, but Blackburn scored six runs in the third inning to even the score 6-6. The Blue Jays regained an 8-6 lead and broke the game open, scoring 11 runs in the sixth inning. VJ Reynolds went 3-for-4 with four RBI and four runs scored, and Brett Bronenkamp went 3-for-4 with three runs scored for a Blue Jay squad which scored 19 runs on 17 hits. Cody Blount (1-4) got the win, allowing seven runs on eight hits and two walks. Mike Oliveri gave up two runs on two hits and three walks in one inning of relief.The game marked the final home appearance for the four senior members of the team. And each had an impact on the series outcome. Wes Gill played in two games and went 2-for-10 with two runs scored and an RBI. Mike Silver played three games and went 3-for-10 with four RBI and a run scored. Joe Leake played all three games and went 6-for-10 with one home run, five RBI and six runs scored. Bronenkamp appeared in two games and went 5-for-7 with a home run, two RBI and five runs scored.Early Lead Slips Away In 5-4 Home Loss (click for stats)
Blue Jays Snap Losing Streak With SLIAC Twin Bill SweepThe Westminster College baseball squad snapped a six-game losing streak with an 11-3, 26-7 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference doubleheader sweep over Eureka College Saturday in Eureka, Illinois. The third game of the conference series, which was scheduled for Sunday, was postponed because of rain.
Westminster (6-22, 4-12 SLIAC) trailed 3-1 after five innings of the opener, but scored six runs in the fifth inning and added four runs in the seventh inning to secure the 11-3 victory. Mike Silver went 4-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI, and Mike Young went 3-for-4 with a run scored and two RBI. Gary Johnson (2-2) picked up the win, allowing two earned runs on six hits and three walks over seven innings.The Blue Jays scored nine runs in the fourth inning and nine runs in the seventh inning to capture the nightcap by a 26-7 score over Eureka (6-16-1, 6-10 SLIAC). Young went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and two RBI. Five players recorded two hits each, including Silver who went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and three RBI, including his team-leading sixth home run of the season. Jason Grose walked five times, one walk shy of the school record. Mike Oliveri (1-4) pitched six innings to get the win. He allowed six earned runs on eight hits.
Westminster Baseball Finds Going Rough In Elsah, Illinois There was no relief for the Westminster College baseball squad on Tuesday in Elsah, Illinois. Principia College handed the Blue Jays a pair of St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference losses.
Westminster (4-22, 2-12 SLIAC) recorded three hits in a 10-3 opening-game loss. Sophomore Andrew Jett went 1-for-3 with two runs scored, and freshman Gavin Magruder took the loss, allowing nine runs on 11 hits and a walk over 4.2 innings. Brandon Zucker gave up one run on two hits in 1.1 innings of relief.
The Blue Jays tallied eight runs on 10 hits in the nightcap, but Principia (13-13, 6-7 SLIAC) scored 15 runs on 19 hits. Westminster freshman John Brinkman went 3-for-4 with a run scored and Jett went 2-for-4 with four RBI and two runs scored. Senior Mike Silver went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Junior Austin Pogue took the loss, allowing nine runs on 13 hits and a pair of walks in 4.1 innings. Freshman Andrew Moulton, junior Cody Blount and sophomore Jon Simpher pitched in relief. Tuesday’s Westminster Baseball Moved To Elsah, IllinoisThe location of Tuesday's baseball action with Principia College has been moved to Elsah, Illinois, because of poor field conditions in Fulton. The April 21 single game will be played at Westminster.Westminster Drops Non-Conference Games In St. LouisThe Westminster College baseball squad ventured out of conference play for the final time this season and dropped both ends of a doubleheader to Washington University, 6-3 and 12-4, Saturday in St. Louis (click for stats).
The Blue Jays (4-20) recorded just three hits in the opener. Sophomore Gary Johnson (1-2) was the hard luck loser on the mound, allowing six runs on 10 hits and three walks over six innings of work.
Westminster scored four runs on 11 hits in the second game. Senior Mike Silver went 2-for-4 with a run scored and senior Wes Gill went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Junior Mike Oliveri (0-4) took the loss, allowing eight runs on eight hits and three walks over three innings. Three other Blue Jay pitchers worked in relief.Blue Jay Bats Come Alive In SLIAC Sweep (click for stats) After dropping the first game of the three-game series 14-10 Friday night, Westminster College erupted for 39 runs Saturday in sweeping a St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference baseball doubleheader from MacMurray College 20-11 and 19-3 on Saucier Field in Fulton.
The Blue Jays (4-16, 2-8 SLIAC) snapped a six-game losing streak and picked up their first conference win in the opener. Freshman Evan White went 4-for-5 with five RBI and two runs scored, and senior Mike Silver went 4-for-5 with two RBI and three runs scored. Junior Jimmy Gesling and sophomore VJ Reynolds each hit home runs in the 22-hit attack. Sophomore Gary Johnson (1-1) picked up the win, allowing four runs and one earned run on 10 hits, two walks, while striking out five over five innings. Three Blue Jays pitched in relief.
Westminster jumped out to an early 13-0 lead in the second game and tallied 19 runs on 11 hits in winning the series from MacMurray (6-16, 3-9 SLIAC). Freshman John Brinkman went 3-for 4 with 3 RBI, two runs scored, including his first home run. Freshman Andrew Zeigler went 2-for-2 with two RBI and two runs scored, while White added two hits and six RBI. Sophomore Andrew Jett hit his fourth home run of the season. Freshman Gavin Magruder (1-1) went five innings to pick up the win. He allowed three runs on five hits, four walks and struck out five. Two Blue Jays pitched in relief.Westminster Victim Of Long Ball In SLIAC Loss (click for stats)
Threat Of Bad Weather Altering Weekend Baseball ScheduleBecause of the extended weather forecast and threat of rain on Sunday, this weekend's St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference baseball doubleheader with MacMurray College is being moved to Friday and Saturday from Saturday and Sunday. The three-game series now begins Friday evening at 6:30 on Saucier Field in Fulton.Fri., April 3, * MacMurray (1-9), Home, 6:30
Sat., April 4, * MacMurray, Home, 12:00
Sat., April 4, * MacMurray, Home, 2:30
* SLIAC ContestsBlue Jays Rally To Tie 8-8, But Fall In Late Innings (click for stats)
Despite rallying from an 8-1 deficit to tie the score 8-8 with a seven-run fourth inning, the Westminster College baseball squad could not overtake Fontbonne University, falling 12-8 in St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action Tuesday in Fulton. The game was moved to Fulton because of wet field conditions in St. Louis.
The Blue Jays (2-15, 0-7 SLIAC) used the long ball to rally from an 8-1 deficit. Senior Joe Leake hit a two-run home run to start the rally in the home half of the fourth inning. With two outs and the bases loaded, sophomore Andrew Jett hit the team’s first grand slam of the season to knot the score 8-8. But, that was the end of Westminster’s offensive production. Fontbonne (13-7, 4-1 SLIAC), which took advantage of five Blue Jay errors in the game, added one run in the sixth inning and three in the eighth inning to secure the victory.
Westminster sophomore Monte Gibbs went 3-for-5 with a run scored, Leake went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored, and Jett drove in four runs and scored a run. Junior Curt Byrd was the hard luck loser on the mound for the Blue Jays. Byrd allowed nine runs and just two earned runs on 11 hits and a walk over 5.1 innings. Freshman Gavin Magruder pitched 3.2 innings of relief and allowed three runs, none earned, on four hits and a walk.Today’s Westminster Baseball Moved To FultonThe location of today’s baseball action with Fontbonne University has been moved to Fulton because of poor field conditions in St. Louis. A single game will be played at 6:00 p.m. this evening on Saucier Field. As the result of today’s change, the April 8 doubleheader will be played in St. Louis (click here for schedule).Baseball Blue Jays End Spring Break Trip With Two LossesThe Westminster College baseball squad ended a 1-7 spring break trip with a pair of losses to the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Saturday in Auburndale, Florida. The Blue Jays (2-14) lost 27-4 and 26-5.
In the opener, Westminster managed just four hits. Senior Mike Silver went 1-for-3 with a home run in the first inning. But, Wisconsin Oshkosh (5-5) broke the game open with a 10-run third inning and tagged four Blue Jay pitchers for 27 runs and 19 hits.
Wisconsin-Oshkosh scored eight runs in the first inning of the second game in a 26-5 victory. Westminster freshman Jacob Beasley went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI. Silver also homered for a team-high fourth time this season. Three Blue Jay pitchers surrendered 26 runs and 23 hits.
Westminster Snaps Nine-Game Losing Streak With 17-1 Win
Westminster College snapped a nine-game baseball losing streak with a 17-1 victory over D’Youville College of New York Thursday in Winter Haven, Florida. The game was called after the seventh inning on the 10-run rule.
The Blue Jays (2-10) got three hits each from sophomore Monte Gibbs and freshman Evan White, and a solid pitching performance from junior Curt Byrd. Gibbs (Ballwin, Mo./Kennedy) went 3-for-4 with two walks and three runs scored. White (Milan, Ill./Sherrard) went 3-for-5 with a single, double, triple and four RBI. Byrd (Vienna, Mo./Vienna) went seven innings to pick up the win, allowing one unearned run on three hits. Byrd stuck out six batters to even his season record at 1-1.Blue Jays Drop First Game On Spring Trip (click for stats)Westminster Lets Win Slip Away, Drops SLIAC Pair (click for stats)Blue Jays Come Up Short, Drop Fourth Consecutive ContestThe Westminster College baseball team dropped its fourth consecutive St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference contest, falling to Webster University 8-4 Friday evening in Sauget, Illinois.
The Blue Jays (1-5, 0-4 SLIAC) held a 3-0 lead after the first inning, but Webster (4-8, 1-0 SLIAC) scored two runs in the second, three runs in the third, two runs in the fourth and one run in the fifth to secure the victory. Senior Mike Silver (Florissant, Mo./McCluer North) led the Westminster offense, going 1-for-4 with a run scored and two RBI. Silver hit his first home run of the season in the first inning to help stake the Blue Jays to the early 3-0 lead. Westminster junior Austin Pogue (Clinton, Mo./Clinton) took the loss on the mound, allowing eight runs on seven hits and six walks over six innings, which included four Webster home runs.Blue Jays Surrender 27 Runs In Two SLIAC Road LossesSix Blue Jay pitchers were tagged for 27 runs on 29 hits and the defense committed four errors in each game in Westminster College’s 8-0, 19-1 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference loss to Maryville University (6-7, 3-0 SLIAC) Tuesday in St. Louis.
The Blue Jays (1-4, 0-3 SLIAC) managed just one hit off the bat of junior Mike Oliveri (Clayton, Mo./Clayton) in the opener. Freshman Gavin MaGruder (St. Louis, Mo./Oakville) took the loss, allowing eight runs (3 earned) on 10 and two walks. Westminster recorded three hits in the second game, with sophomore Monte Gibbs (Ballwin, Mo./Kennedy) going 1-for-2 with a run scored. Junior Cody Blount (Wildwood, Mo./Lafayette) took the loss. Blount was the first of four pitchers and allowed nine runs on six hits and three walks to start the game. Westminster Drops SLIAC Baseball Opener At Home (click for stats)The Westminster College baseball squad let an early 6-1 lead slip away and committed four errors in the game in falling to Maryville University 9-8 in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opener for both teams Friday in Fulton.
The Blue Jays (1-2, 0-1 SLIAC) led 6-1 after four innings, but in the fifth inning Maryville (4-7, 1-0 SLIAC) plated five runs to even the score. The Blue Jays regained the lead 8-6 on a two-run homer by sophomore Andrew Jett in the home half of the fifth inning, however Maryville scored single runs in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings to capture the victory.
Westminster tallied eight runs on 10 hits with Jett (Owensville, Mo./Owensville) going 2-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBI. Freshman Mike Young (St. Louis, Mo./St. Mary’s), junior Jacob Beasley (Centralia, Mo./Centralia), and senior Wes Gill (Jefferson City, Mo./Jefferson City) each added two hits to the Blue Jay attack. Junior Mike Oliveri (Clayton, Mo./Clayton) took the loss in relief of junior starter Curt Byrd (Vienna, Mo./Vienna) and junior Austin Pogue (Clinton, Mo./Clinton). Wednesday's Game Rescheduled For Friday (click for schedule)Westminster Splits Season-Opening Baseball DoubleheaderFulton, Mo. – Westminster College split a season-opening home baseball doubleheader with Grinnell College Saturday, falling in the opener 12-3 and winning the second game 3-2.
Grinnell (2-2) scored 12 runs on 12 hits and three Westminster errors to take the first game 12-3. The Blue Jays (1-1) trailed 6-0 before scoring single runs in the fourth, sixth and seventh innings. Freshman Mike Young (St. Louis, Mo./St. Mary’s) went 2-for-3 at the plate and sophomore VJ Reynolds ( St. Charles, Mo./Francis Howell Central) drove in two runs to pace the offense. Sophomore Cody Blount (Wildwood, Mo./Lafayette) took the loss, allowing six runs, three earned, on five hits and five walks. Freshman Clint Gesling (Centralia, Mo./Centralia and freshman Brandon Zucker (Wildwood, Mo./Lafayette) both pitched in relief.Westminster took a 3-0 lead into the sixth inning of the nightcap, when Grinnell plated a pair of runs. But, junior Mike Oliveri (Clayton, Mo./Clayton) pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the seventh inning to earn the save in a 3-2 Blue Jay victory. Freshman Austin Pogue (Clinton, Mo./Clinton) recorded the win with relief help from freshman Gavin Magruder (St. Louis, Mo./Oakville) and Oliveri. Pogue allowed two runs, one earned, on five hits and two walks over 5.1 innings of work. Senior Wes Gill (Jefferson City, Mo./Jefferson City) recorded two hits and scored a run, and junior Jacob Beasley (Centralia, Mo./Centralia), went 2-for-3 with and RBI to lead the offense.Weekend Baseball Postponed Because of WeatherThe cold temperatures and threat of snow have already impacted the Westminster College spring sports schedule. The Blue Jay baseball team’s home weekend series with Buena Vista University has been postponed. The games have not been rescheduled at this time.
Westminster Third In 2009 SLIAC Pre-Season Baseball Poll
Westminster College has been picked third in the 2009 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Pre-Season Baseball Poll, as voted on by the conference coaches. The Blue Jays, who received one first-place vote, were 23-13 overall last season and finished second in the league standings at 16-8.
Defending SLIAC regular season champion Webster University received seven first-place votes and has been picked as the pre-season favorite, followed by 2. Maryville University (1 first-place vote), 3. Westminster (1), 4. Eureka College, 5. Fontbonne University, 6. Greenville College, 7. Blackburn College, 8. Principia College, and 9. MacMurray College.