The Journal

Issue date: 4/19/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Max Gersh Senior Adam York gets tagged out while rounding third base during the first game of a doubleheader vs Maryville April 17.

Although bizarre weather and a season's worth of rainouts have plagued the first few weeks of the baseball team's conference season, the Gorloks have still managed to take their place atop conference standings.


The Gorloks are 4-2 since the April 1 opener of St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play. After winning the first two games against MacMurray College in the opener, the team split with Westminster April 4, swept Lincoln Christian College in two games April 9 and split with Fontbonne University April 12. The Gorloks swept a doubleheader against the Maryville Saints April 17. The team is now 8-2 in the SLIAC, with a 19-10 overall record.


The Fontbonne games brought optimism and some signs of pitching improvement. In the first game, junior starter Ryan Driskill allowed two first inning runs, but kept bats silent for the rest of the game, pitching all seven innings to lead the Gorloks to a 5-2 win.


Junior James Powell started the second game, and surrendered six runs in the first two innings. Junior Joe Malat took over in the second inning, and pitched the rest of the game, allowing only one run. Unfortunately, the Gorlok comeback fell short, as Fontbonne held on to win 7-6.


The game was a huge step in the right direction for Malat, as a string of bad pitching outings had landed him in the bullpen and cost him some confidence. But seven strong innings against Fontbonne prove Malat hasn't given up.


"That's a sign that he's back on track, and he's going to be really helpful for us down the stretch," said Mike Stawski, pitching coach. "He really came back to form with what we saw in the fall and early winter. It surprised all of us that he struggled as much as he did early, but he threw seven innings of great baseball, and we're hoping that's a sign of what's to come."


Malat said he's worked out the minor issues with his mechanics, and doesn't mind coming out of the bullpen.


"Once you get out there it's still just you against the hitter, so you just try and do a good job and help the team," Malat said.


Another bright spot for the Gorloks has been the relief pitching of junior Brett Mueller. Mueller has yet to allow an earned run in nearly 15 innings of relief, making him a serious threat in the late innings, and one of Coach Stawski's most valuable pitchers.

Continued...

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