The Westminster baseball team continues to see records fall as they defeated Iowa Wesleyan 23-2 in Saturday's short-gamed victory. Senior Collin Brinker broke the innings pitched season record with 77 while senior Tyler Branneky pulled back ahead of senior Deion Hughes in the career triples category with 10. The win puts the Blue Jays at 22-11 on the season with a 13-5 conference record and a 7-3 division record.
A three RBI double from sophomore Nick Bohlmann gave the Blue Jays a 3-0 advantage after one inning of play, but in the top of the second, Iowa Wesleyan hit a solo shot over the right center fence to bring the score to 3-1, Westminster.
In the bottom of the second, Ty. Branneky pulled ahead in the career triples category with his 10th. His hit to center field brought in Hughes and junior Nolan Bax.
Junior Tanner Branneky hit a two RBI double in the third, followed by a junior Blake Strebler RBI double to right center. Sophomore Adam Mundle hit a RBI single up the middle, and Ty. Branneky closed out the six-run inning with a two RBI single down the left field line.
In the fourth, Mundle RBI singled to right field, and junior Connor Hager tripled to right field, scoring Mundle and Ty. Branneky.
The Blue Jays put up eight runs in the fifth to take a 22-1 lead. Mundle singled up the middle to score two. The Iowa Wesleyan pitched walked in the next run, and freshman Matt Brown followed with a RBI single. Bohlmann RBI singled to right field, and freshman Mikey Williams closed out the scoring with a three RBI triple to right center.
A RBI single from Brown brought in the final run for the Blue Jays in the sixth inning.
Iowa Wesleyan brought in one run in the top of the seventh, ending the game with a 23-2 seven inning win.
The Westminster offense out-hit Iowa Wesleyan 21-8. Mundle went 4-for-6 from the plate with four RBI and three runs. Strebler went 3-for-3 from the plate with three runs scored, and Bohlmann went 3-for-5 with four RBI. Ty. Branneky brought in five runs throughout the seven inning game.
Brinker (7-2) is credited with the win on the mound. He pitched five innings, breaking the season innings pitched record. He struck out four and allowed just one run.
The Blue Jays close out the three-game series with Iowa Wesleyan with a doubleheader on Sunday, May 1, starting at 1:00 pm. The five graduating seniors will be honored in between the two games (approximately 2:30 pm).
