HIGHLAND, IL - Entering the 2009 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament, the Webster Gorloks were the prohibative favorite after going unbeaten in the regular season. But it wasn't to be as Maryville scored three runs in the top of the seventh inning to post the 4-1 victory Saturday at Glik Park.
It is the first time since the tournament was reinstated in 2005 that Webster will not win the tournament and earn the automatic berth into the NCAA Regionals. In fact, the two losses suffered this weekend were that first time Webster had lost in tournament action since it came back to SLIAC action.
Webster's usually potent offense didn't manage much as they mustered one run on six hits over the nine innings. Junior
Zach Little, who had half the Gorloks' hits, recorded the lone RBI. His single in the fifth inning knotted the game at one.
Junior
Eric Broughton, just one day after starting Webster's second game on Thursday, recorded a yomen's effort. He went six innings, allowing four runs on eight hits. However, he was dealing until running into trouble in the seventh.
A two-strike bloop single started the damage. It was proceeded by a hit batter, bunt single and another hit batter to bring home the eventual winning run. Following the second hit batter, Broughton's day came to an end. A single and walk brought to more home for Maryville before junior
Bryce Law came on to shut the door. However, the damage had been done. Law hurled the final 2 2/3 innings, allowing just one hit with three strikeouts.
Junior
John DuHadway and sophomore
Nathan Shelton were named to the SLIAC All-tournament team.
Webster ends the season 28-15, finishing the regular SLIAC season 24-0 and winning the regular season conference title.