Warriors wallop Wave

Westminster Christian's bats stay hot to propel slaughter-rule win

ELGIN -- Brandon Siewert broke out of an early season slump in a big way on Saturday afternoon with five RBIs to help lift Westminster Christian to a 15-2 five-inning slaughter-rule victory over visiting St. Edward.

Siewert had just one hit in his last nine at-bats coming into the game, but ripped an RBI double as part of a nine-run third inning for the Warriors. Siewert followed that up with a walk-off opposite-field grand slam over the right-center field fence in the fifth inning.

"I had been struggling up at the plate," Siewert said, "so it felt good to finally get some big hits. I made a little adjustment by keeping my hands up higher. I was able to get underneath the ball today and drive it."

The Warriors (5-3-1) pounded out 11 hits in the game. After Casey Schuring reached on an error to lead off the third inning, Westminster strung together five straight hits to chase St. Edward starter Jordan Torres. Carter Ward had an RBI double in the inning and Ben Palmer added a two-run single.

The Green Wave committed three errors in the inning and two Westminster runs scored on wild pitches.

"We've been hitting the ball real well," Warriors coach Jeff Moeller said. "Our approach at the plate is to be aggressive and patient at the same time. The philosophy is to wait for a pitch you can drive and jump on it."

Ward had a sac fly in the fifth and Cory Hodge added an RBI double before Siewert's game-ending slam.

Schuring redeemed himself on the mound a day after surrendering eight runs in two innings on Friday. Schuring scattered six hits and gave up two runs in 4 2/3 innings to pick up the win.

"I'm glad I was able to come right back out and get (Friday's game) out of my system," Schuring said. "I wasn't trying to be overpowering. I was just getting my curveball over and hitting my spots."

St. Edward (0-4) scored single runs in the first and fifth innings, but left the bases loaded in both. The Green Wave left a total of nine runners stranded in the game.

"I thought we let the game get away from us right there in the first inning," St. Edward coach Gene Belmonte said. "We had a chance to build a little lead and get a little breathing room. Once we fell behind, we started pressing at the plate."

Torres had an RBI double for the Wave. David Hoebbel led off the game with a double and scored the game's first run.

Ryan Donahue added an RBI single in the fourth inning for Westminster.

Westminster Christian 10, Glenbard East 4 

 The Warriors finished the afternoon with a win against Glenbard East.

Hodge finished only a triple short of hitting for the cycle as he drove in four runs to lead Westminster's attack at the plate.

Siewert and Ben Palmer both homered, Carter Ward drove in three runs and Schuring went 3-for-4. Tyler Beachler also added an RBI double.

Siewert threw four-plus innings before leaving in the fifth with the bases loaded and nobody out.

Palmer came on in relief and escaped with only one inherited runner scoring. Palmer would strike out five in his three innings of work.