No. 7 Birmingham-Southern falls to Webster in NCAA Central Regional championship game

MILLINGTON, Tenn. - The No. 7 Birmingham-Southern baseball team came up just short against Webster University this afternoon, losing 3-2 to the Gorloks in the Central Regional championship game. Box Score | Central Regional

The win earned Webster (35-12) a trip to the 2012 NCAA Division III World Series in Appleton, Wis. next week while Birmingham-Southern sees its season end at 38-9.

Webster got on the scoreboard first with a run in the bottom of the sixth. Mitchell Bond's single through the left side scored Alex Kazmierski. The Gorloks then took a 3-0 lead with two more runs in the bottom half of the eighth inning.

Birmingham-Southern responded in the top half of the ninth. After an Austin Justice single to left field loaded the bases with no body out, the Panthers seemed poised to take the lead.

Ethan Netherton grounded into a fielder's choice and Bruce Maxwell was thrown out at home plate. David Bourbonnais then struck out. Birmingham-Southern then picked up two runs on an error by Gorlok second baseman Kevin Kojs. Trey Chambers then struck out with the tying run on second base.

The win went to Webster starting pitcher Cody Hafeli. Hafeli pitched a dominant eight innings as he scattered six hits and yielded just one unearend run and walked just one batter. Teammate David Mueller picked up the save after throwing one inning and struck out two.

Birmingham-Southern's Blake Stevens, the SCAC Newcomer of the Year, suffered the loss after he pitched six innings. Stevens allowed just one earned run on eight hits and struck out six.

Webster was led by Kazmierski who finished the game 2 for 4 with two runs scored. Mike Rainbolt was also 2 for 4 and drove in two runs.

Birmingham-Southern was led by Jon Walker and Justice who each finished 2 for 4 with a run scored.