Softball | 4/20/2010 12:00:00 AM
McPherson, Kan. – The McPherson softball team rallied for four runs in the fourth inning to propel themselves to a 5-4 game one victory over Kansas Wesleyan University Monday night at Wall Park.
With the win, McPherson snaps a five game losing streak and improves to 7-16-1 and 2-11 in KCAC play, while the Coyotes drop to 1-26 and 1-10 in conference action.
Sophomore right-hander Katie Logan (3-7) picked up her third win of the season allowing four runs (four earned) in 6.1 innings of work. Freshman Kelsey Dutton struck out both batters she faced in relief to earn her first career save.
Offensively for McPherson, Sophomore Andrea Falk and Dutton each tallied two hits. Falk finished the night 2-for-3 with a run scored and two RBI, while Dutton went 2-for-2 with an RBI and one run scored.
Ashleigh Roberts took the loss for Kansas Wesleyan. In 6.1 innings, Roberts allowed five runs on eight hits.
McPherson’s first scoring opportunity came in the bottom of the fourth. A Kelsey Gray sacrifice bunt advanced Ozbun and Dutton to second and third with just one out. Ozbun and Dutton reached base previously on a single and hit by pitch. Falk took full advantage of the opportunity with a single through the hole at short scoring both runner to give MC the 2-0 lead. Falk scored on the very next pitch when Sadie Green looped a single over the head of the third baseman, 3-0 McPherson.
Kansas Wesleyan would extend the inning with an error, which came back to haunt the Coyotes as it allowed Green to score, as the Bulldogs extended their lead to 4-0.
A second KWU miscue opened the door for another McPherson run in the bottom of the fifth.
The Coyotes would add two in the top of the next frame before holding MC scoreless in the bottom of the sixth.
The Bulldogs held a comfortable 5-2 advantage into the top of the seventh, but a two-run Sarah Weber home run cut the lead to one, 5-4. Despite the home run, MC held on for the win as Dutton struck out the last two batters to pick up her first save of the season.
McPherson will look to sweep the series with a win in game two.
