Softball | 3/22/2011 8:35:38 AM
Hastings Box Score
St. Catherine Box Score
Tucson, Ariz. – The McPherson College softball team lost a pair on day one at the Tucson Invitational Tournament. The Bulldogs fell in game one to Hastings College (Neb.) 12-7, before dropping game two to St. Catherine University (Minn.), 2-1.
McPherson will take an 11-12 overall record into the second day of the invitational on Tuesday, March 22. The Bulldogs will face Pacific University (Ore.) at 9:00 a.m., before facing Hastings in back-to-back contests.
The Bulldogs fell behind early against Hastings, as the Broncos plated six runs in the first three innings, including a three-run top of the first. McPherson began to chip away with three in the four, two in the fifth and two in the sixth to tie the score at 7-7 entering the seventh. However, Hastings busted the game wide open with a five-run inning. The Bulldogs failed to score a run in the bottom of the frame.
Sophomore third baseman Kelsey Dutton (Limon, Colo.) ended the game 2-for-4 from the dish, including a double and two RBIs and two runs scored, while senior designated hitter Ashley Luthye (Northglenn, Colo.) matched Dutton with a pair of hits. She also registered one RBI in the game.
In game two against St. Catherine, the Bulldogs found themselves in an old-fashioned pitcher’s duel. With the game tied in the top of the fifth 1-1, St. Catherine plated the winning run to earn the 2-1 win.
In the circle for McPherson, Dutton pitched seven innings, allowing just two runs, while striking out two.
Senior centerfielder Jamie Gilbert (Joplin, Mo.) led McPherson with two hits in three at-bats.
