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Photo by Diane Cox
Southwestern sophomore Zack Seymour slides into second base as East Alton-Wood River senior Mike Hall looks to make the catch.
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Photo by Diane Cox
Luke Wells throws the game's first pitch for the Oilers.
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Photo by Diane Cox
Southwestern junior Eric Beyer goes 3-3 in this first outing after an injury.
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Photo by Diane Cox
East Alton-Wood River’s Chris Hamby covers first base while Piasa Birds junior Eric Beyer dives back to the base.
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Photo by Diane Cox
Oilers sophomore catcher Blake Weishaupt reaches for the out.
The East Alton-Wood River Oilers struggled to get their offense going while the Southwestern Piasa Birds picked up the big 16-0 win at GCS Park Thursday, April 17.
The Southwestern Piasa Birds took the lead quickly against the East Alton-Wood River Oilers at GCS Park, home of the Gateway Grizzlies minor league ball team and Lindenwood Belleville Lynx baseball team.
Southwestern junior Eric Beyer said this was his third year playing at GCS Park.
"The change in the turf doesn't affect my play," Beyer said. "I really like playing here ... it's a lot of fun."
The Oilers struggled to get their pitching going on the all-AstroTurf field at GCS. Sophomore Luke Wells started off for the Oilers on the mound, giving up eight runs over the first two innings. Junior Skylar Southard’s unusual throwing style caught the Piasa Birds off guard but still allowed four runs to cross the plate. Sophomore Cody Blacklock finished out the pitching duties for the Oilers, giving up four runs to Southwestern.
Southwestern's offense was led by junior Spencer Heineman, who was 4-4 against the Oilers. Senior Adam Keene and junior Eric Beyer were both putting up good numbers for the Birds by going 3-3. The outing against the Oilers was Beyer's first game back since he tore his meniscus in the first game of the season. Southwestern's Blake Lawson and Brendan Schiller were both 2-2 for the Piasa Birds. Andrew Fry and Zack Seymour also crossed the plate for Southwestern.
"Spencer Heineman is definitely a standout hitter for us," Southwestern head coach Brian Hanslow said. "He's also probably our strongest pitcher."
Southwestern's Eric Beye said he was thrilled he had a good outing in his first game back from injury.
"I made a turn on third base and I felt it catch; an MRI said it was torn," Beyer said of his injury. “I worked really hard to get back, and it feels really good."
Southwestern kept the Oilers to only three hits in the five-inning meeting at GCS. The Piasa Birds have improved their record to 7-5 and are 1-0 in the conference. The Oilers are 1-14 in their rebuilding year under head coach Kyle Duncan. The Oilers varsity team is composed of mostly sophomores and is gaining valuable competitive experience.
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