Softball | 3/2/2011 9:14:34 PM
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
McPherson, Kan. – The McPherson College softball team snapped its three game winless streak in impressive fashion, as the Bulldogs swept Central Christian College, 9-1 and 10-1, Wednesday evening at Wall Park. Both games were called after five innings, because of mercy rules.
With the wins, McPherson improves to 4-5 overall on the season, while the Tigers fall to 0-2. CCC’s first six games were cancelled due to inclement weather.
In game one, McPherson scored in four out of five plate appearances, including a five run third inning. Four Bulldogs finished the game with two hits, led by sophomore third baseman Kelsey Dutton who ended the contest 2-for-3 from the plate, while stealing two bases and scoring two runs.
As a team, eight of the Bulldogs nine starters tallied at least one hit, while all nine reached base in the game.
Starting pitcher Katie Logan improved to 2-2 on the season. The junior right hander allowed just one run on two hits, while striking out three and walking just one.
After falling behind 1-0 in the top of the first, freshman shortstop Payton Toepfer drove a single into left field. On the next pitch she would steal second, before advancing to third on a Dutton bunt single. A Logan sacrifice fly followed by a Andrea Falk single would plate both runner to give McPherson the 2-1 advantage.
In the bottom of the second, freshman catcher Amanda Baxter reached base on a error to open the inning. She would later advance on an Ashley Toepfer fielder’s choice and score on a wild pitch to give the Bulldogs the 3-1 lead.
The Bulldogs continued the light up the scoreboard in the third. Dutton opened the frame with her second hit of the night and advanced to third on a stolen base and passed ball. Following a Falk walk, Sadie Green laced a single through the hole and scored Dutton to give McPherson a 4-1 lead. Baxter made it 6-1 with McPherson’s third single and the lead increased to 8-1 on an RBI single from Jamie Gilbert.
McPherson went down in order in the fourth, but notched the one run they needed in the fifth on an Ashley Toepfer single that scored Taylor Medler from second.
The Bulldogs rode the momentum of a game one victory into game two, as McPherson scored 10 runs on seven hits. Seven different Bulldogs accounted for their offensive output, including a two-run home run by Ashley Luthye in the bottom of the fourth. The homer is her first of the season.
After a one, two, three first inning, McPherson’s offense opened their half with back to back singles by Gilbert and McGee to put runners at first and second with no outs. The Bulldogs loaded the bases two batters later on a Tiger misplayed grounder. Gilbert scored on the next pitch due to a Central passed with McGee later scoring on a fielder’s choice to give MC the 2-0 lead.
Both teams went down in order in the second, but the Bulldogs came alive again in the third with a six run inning on just two hits to give MC an 8-0 lead. McPherson took full advantage of four Central errors en route to the big inning.
The Tigers would add a run on a Bulldog error in the top of the fourth to cut the lead to seven, 8-1. However, McPherson answered back with a two-run Luthye home run to cover the spread, as Dutton retired the side in the top of the fifth.
McPherson returns to action on Thursday when they play host to William Jewell College (Mo.). First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. at Wall Park.
