Branneky's four-hit day directs Westminster to SLIAC win

Sparked by junior third baseman Tyler Branneky's four-hit effort, the Blue Jays downed the Griffins 11-5 on Sunday to complete a SLIAC series sweep.

Branneky finished 4-for-4 with three RBIs, a homer, three RBIs and three runs scored for Westminster (12-8, 7-4 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference).

His RBI double, an RBI single by senior second baseman Cam Backes and senior first baseman Tim Chambliss' two-run homer steered the Blue Jays' six-run bottom of the seventh inning that pushed them to an 11-3 advantage.

Fontbonne (14-13, 9-3 SLIAC) finished its scoring with two runs in the top of the eighth.

Freshman center fielder Nick Bohlmann went 2-for-3 with a run a run scored. Chambliss was 2-for-4 with a double, a run scored and three RBIs, while freshman shortstop Adam Mundle went 2-for-4 with two runs scored.

Senior Jake Rule (2-1) picked up the win in 5 1/3 innings of work. Rule allowed three runs on six hits, walked one and struck out two.

Westminster began the series with a SLIAC doubleheader sweep of the Griffins, winning by scores of 6-4 and 12-6, respectively, on Saturday at Shaw Park.

The Blue Jays erupted for 15 hits in the backhalf and featured five multi-hit performers. Branneky was 3-for-5 with three RBIs, a double and two runs scored.

Mundle was 2-for-4 with two driven in, Bohlmann was 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored and Backes was 2-for-5 with a homer, three RBIs and a run scored.

Sophomore designated hitter Connor Hager went 2-for-5 with an RBI and Chambliss finished 1-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs.

Sophomore Seth Lehman threw five innings, allowed an unearned run on three hits, walked one and struck out two to get the win.

Branneky's two-run shot highlighted Westminster's three-run fifth inning in its opening triumph.

Backes scored the winning run earlier in the frame when junior pitcher Deion Hughes reached base on a fielder's choice ground ball.

Hughes fanned nine in six innings to collect his fifth win of the season. He allowed four runs (one earned) on five hits and walked one.

Sophomore Collin Brinker (North Callaway) struck out one and gave up a hit to log the save.

Mundle was 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored, while Backes finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored.

Branneky - named the SLIAC/Diamond Sports Hitter Player of the Week on Monday - went 1-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored.

The Blue Jays host Blackburn (Ill.) College in a SLIAC doubleheader on Wednesday. Contests will start at 4 and 6 p.m., respectively.