SAUGET, Ill. - The Wartburg College baseball team officially opened its 2021 season on Saturday, Feb. 27 against Webster University at GCS Park near St. Louis, Mo., falling by a score of 5-0.

Webster, ranked No. 1 in Perfect Game's NCAA Division III Top 25 Poll, shut out and limited the Knights' offense to two hits.

The Gorlocks' starting pitcher Matt Mulhearn tallied 14 strikeouts in eight innings pitched to earn the win. Wartburg's Dylan Gotto allowed four earned runs in 7.1 innings pitched, suffering the loss. 

In the game's opening at bat, Webster's Adam Lovell earned a base on ball and came around to score the eventual game-winning run. The Gorlocks added four runs in the eighth for insurance, knocking out the Knights' starting pitcher Gotto. 

Joey Ciero and Aaron Eybers pitched in relief. 

Wartburg's top two hitters in the batting order recorded one hit each for the team's hit total; JoJo McNair and Max Goodhue. 

The Knights (0-1, 0-0 A-R-C) will again face Webster tomorrow at noon.