The No. 2-seeded Webster University softball team opened the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament with a 7-2 win over Blackburn College on Thursday, May 3 at ABC Park in Saint Ann.
Later in the day, the Gorloks lost 6-1 to the top-seeded Fontbonne University Griffins. Webster is still alive in the double-elimination tournament. The Gorloks will have to win three straight contests to claim their third SLIAC tournament in the past six years.
In the opener against No. 3-seeded Blackburn, sophomore Trisha Thompson pitched all seven innings and allowed two earned runs on eight hits. She struck out five and walked two.
Sophomore shortstop Kristie Konersmann was the offensive star. Konersmann went 3 for 4 with three RBIs and one run scored. Sophomore outfielder Danielle LaVenture had two hits and an RBI, as did senior third baseman Tabatha Bahre.
With the win over Blackburn, the Gorloks moved into the winner’s portion of the bracket. There, they took on Fontbonne, who downed No. 4 Greenville College 5-0 in other first-round action.
A five-run third inning propelled the Griffins to their 6-1 win over the Gorloks. Junior Ashley Meagher threw 2 2/3 innings, allowing six runs — four earned — on six hits. Thompson relieved Meagher and allowed only one hit in her 3 1/3 innings of work.
The Gorloks mustered only two hits against Fontbonne starter Rachel McCarthy.
With the five-run loss to the Griffins, Webster will once again take on Blackburn. The Gorloks and Beavers will lock horns on Friday, May 4 at 5 p.m. at ABC Ball Park. Blackburn eliminated Greenville from the tournament with a 7-4 win over the Panthers.
The winner of the Webster-Blackburn game will advance to play Fontbonne at approximately 7 p.m. on Friday. The Webster-Blackburn victor will have to beat the Griffins two straight times to win the SLIAC title, while Fontbonne only has to win one more game to claim the championship.
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