Babson Park, FL – The 7th ranked Webber International Baseball team hosted the Bellevue Bruins for a three game series before the start of SUN Conference play. The Warriors took two of three from the Bruins, splitting the Friday doubleheader.
Game 1:
Bellevue struck first in the opening frame, as J. Ruffin, running for L. Grant, scored on an RBI single from A. Lind to put the Bruins up 1-0. However, Webber responded quickly in the bottom of the second. After Ryan Recio led off with a single and Jalen Martinez doubled, Nate Cannizzaro drove in the tying run with a groundout. Moments later, Steven Nitch delivered a go-ahead RBI single to give WIU a 2-1 lead.
Webber continued to extend their lead in the third when Deven Tedders scored on a sacrifice fly from Martinez. Another insurance run came in the fourth after an RBI single from Tedders, pushing the lead to 4-1.
From there, the Warriors' pitching staff took over. WIU's arms silenced Bellevue's offense, allowing only one run on six hits. Bellevue had opportunities, stranding multiple runners, but Webber's clutch pitching and defense held firm.
In the eighth, Webber tacked on an extra run as Tedders reached base, stole second and third, then scored on a sacrifice fly by Camren Carrol, making it 5-1. WIU's bullpen closed the game efficiently, sealing the victory with a final score of 5-1.
Game 2:
The Bruins wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, as Elsner launched a two-run home run to right-center field in the top of the first inning, putting Bellevue ahead 2-0. Shortly after, Lind singled and stole second, setting up an RBI single by Hansen to make it 3-0.
Bellevue tacked on another run in the second, capitalizing on a passed ball to push the score to 4-0.
Webber managed to get a run back in the bottom of the second, as Recio led off with a double and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Cannizzaro, making it 4-1. However, that would be Webber's only run of the game, as their offense failed to build momentum.
From the third to the fifth innings, Webber struggled to put together scoring chances, managing only two hits while Bellevue's pitchers effectively shut down the lineup.
Bellevue put together an 11-run 6th inning, taking full advantage of defensive errors, clutch hitting, and aggressive baserunning.
S. Hansen and E. Tanner led off the rally with back-to-back singles. N. Gravel followed with an RBI single to extend the lead to 5-1. A fielding error allowed another run to score before S. Elsner crushed a grand slam home run, putting Bellevue ahead 10-1. Bellevue continued the onslaught with RBI singles from A. Lind and J. Lacey. By the time the inning ended, Bellevue had plated 11 runs on 9 hits, pushing the lead to 15-1.
Webber International had no answer for Bellevue's pitching, as they were held to just one hit over the final two innings. The Warriors had a chance to score in the seventh, but a strikeout with the bases loaded ended the game in disappointing fashion.
Game 3:
Webber wasted no time in the second game of the doubleheader, exploding for six runs in the bottom of the second. After a pair of singles and a walk loaded the bases, Sanchez delivered a two-run single, followed by another run scoring on a passed ball. Martinez then added an RBI single, and Nitch capped the rally with a two-run double, giving WIU a commanding 6-0 lead.
The Warriors' pitching was lights out, preventing Bellevue from generating any offense. WIU's defense was sharp, shutting down any potential rallies.
Webber added insurance in the seventh, capitalizing on Bellevue's mistakes. After loading the bases, Mike Cuello drove in a run with a groundout, and Gabriel Cruz followed with a two-run single. Another wild pitch allowed a final run to cross the plate, securing the 10-0 shutout win.
