Five runs in the bottom of the second inning preserved the Westminster College Blue Jays' perfect start to their season.
Senior second baseman Blake Strebler was the prime catalyst in Westminster's 6-1 win over Elmhurst in the opener of Saturday's doubleheader at Saucier Field. Strebler went 2-for-3 with two doubles, two runs batted in and two runs scored.
Results from the second game of the doubleheader were not available at press time. The two teams close out their series with a single game at noon today.
Senior shortstop Adam Mundle started the run for the Blue Jays (4-0) in the second on Saturday by driving in two runs with a single to center. Strebler then followed suit by sending Mundle and sophomore center fielder Zach Eisenreich home with a double.
Strebler scored on freshman first baseman Ryan Clavin's single to right as Westminster opened up a 5-0 lead.
Elmhurst scored its lone run on a sacrifice fly in the top of the fifth. The Blue Jays tacked on their other run in the bottom of the inning when Strebler scored again on sophomore left fielder Will Stonecipher's fielder's choice.
Clavin finished 2-for-3 with an RBI as Westminster ended up with seven hits. Mundle went 1-for-3 with two RBI and sophomore catcher Brandon Beeler was 1-for-3 with a run scored.
Junior starter Ian Cassidy (2-0) thwarted Elmhurst in recording the complete-game victory for the Blue Jays, surrendering an earned run on six hits. Cassidy struck out six and issued one walk.