The Southwestern baseball team finished out their season with an 8-5 victory over Hendrix College this afternoon at Rockwell Field. The win completed a weekend sweep of the Warriors and sent the Pirates into the off-season on a two game winning streak.
The Pirates spotted Hendrix an early 3-0 lead, but from the bottom of the third inning on Southwestern dominated. Aided by some excellent Pirate defense, starter Chris Webber and reliever Chris Churchwell combined to allow only one run and three hits over the final five innings. In total Webber went six innings, allowing nine hits and four runs to pick up the win. Chruchwell went the final three innings, giving up one run and only one hit while striking out three to get the save.
Catcher Johnny Gavrel led the way for the Pirates offensively, going 2-3 with a run and four RBI. He also threw out two Warrior runners attempting to steal second. First baseman Kyle Belski picked up right where he left off yesterday, adding two more hits, three runs scored, and an RBI. At first base, he saved his fellow infielders at least three errors with acrobatic catches on errant throws.
Playing their final home game at Southwestern seniors Todd Boone, Matt Clark, and John Wooten combined for three hits, three runs scored, a walk, and six defensive putouts. Before the game, in a Pirate tradition, each of them caught a ceremonial first pitch from their fathers.
The Pirates finished the season 13-26 overall and 6-14 in the SCAC. After a tough start to the year the team went 10-9 over their last 19 games including a four game sweep of the season series against Hendrix. With only three seniors departing the young Pirates will look to continue their development and build on their late season success going forward in 2011 although they will miss the contributions of their senior class, Matthew Clark, John Wooten, Todd Boone and Andrew Chappell.