Gorloks Capture NCAA Regional Championship; Advance to DIII National Championships
Millington, Tenn. - For the first time in school history, the
Webster University baseball team has advanced to the NCAA Division
III National Championships. The Gorloks will be one of eight
regional champions competing in the World Series next weekend, May
25-29, in Appleton, Wisconsin. Webster
defeated Birmingham-Southern College (AL), 3-2, to win the
NCAA DIII Rhodes Regional at USA Stadium in Millington, Tenn., on
May 19. To advance, Webster survived a nerve-racking ninth
inning to preserve the win.
Webster swept through the regional, winning four straight games,
knocking off Birmingham-Southern, seventh-ranked nationally, twice
and #22 ranked DePauw University (IN) in the process. The Gorloks
are now one of eight teams, out of 372 competing in baseball in
NCAA III, to make it to the World Series. Webster is 35-12 on
the season, and the 35 wins ties the programs’ all-time high
for victories in a year, set in 2010.
Keeping the Gorlok faithful on edge, after walking the lead-off
hitter in the ninth with Webster up 3-0, right-hander Cody Hafeli
(JR, Kankakee CC, IL) gave way to David Mueller (SR, Westminster
Christian Academy, MO). Mueller allowed two singles to load
the bases but got a force out at the plate and struck out the next
batter looking. A Gorlok error allowed two runners to score
but Mueller averted disaster, striking out the next Panther
to end the game, earning his second save of the season.
Hafeli gave the Gorloks their fourth straight solid start in the
regional, pitching eight innings. He allowed just six hits, one
run, and walked one. Hafeli improved to 9-1 on the year,
leading the team in wins.
Third baseman Mitchell Bonds (JR, Kankakee CC, IL) drove in OF Alex
Kazmierski (JR, Triton CC, IL) in the sixth inning for the Gorloks
first run. Designated hitter Mike Rainbolt (JR, Kankakee CC,
IL) drove in two insurance runs in the eighth. Every batter in the
Webster line-up had at least one hit. Kazmeirski wound up two
for four, with two runs scored, and a stolen base.
Shortstop Taylor Stoulp (SO, St. Mary’s HS, MO) was named the
Most Valuable Player of the Regional. Tom Henke (SR,
Lindbergh HS, MO), Matt Moore (SR, Air Academy HS, CO), Steve
Dooley (JR, Florissant Valley CC, MO), Hafeli, and Stoulp were
named to the All-Regional Team.
Webster becomes the first team from the St. Louis Intercollegiate
Athletic Conference to win a regional and gain a berth in the NCAA
DIII National Championships. The Gorloks will take on the
winner of the Eastern Connecticut Regional in the first
round. Wheaton College (MA) and Western New England
University (MA) are playing for that regional’s
championship on May 20.
Courtesy Webster University sports information
