Softball | 3/23/2011 9:14:09 AM
Tucson, Ariz. – The McPherson College softball team dropped three games in day two at the Tucson Invitational Tournament on Tuesday, as the Bulldogs fell 10-2 in six innings to Pacific University (Ore.), 4-3 to Hastings College (Neb.) and 7-2 to Hastings College (Neb.).
With the results, McPherson falls to 11-15 overall on the season.
The Bulldogs fell behind early against Pacific in game one. Junior pitcher Andrea Falk (Cheyenne, Wyo.) (2-5) was tabbed with the loss, while senior designated player Ashley Luthye (Northglenn, Colo.) led McPherson with two hits.
The Boxers took a 7-0 lead in the third inning, before MC answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth to cut the deficit to 7-2. However, Pacfic closed the game out two innings later with a three-run sixth to hand McPherson the loss.
In game two against Hastings College, the Broncos lit the scoreboard first with a run in the top of the first. McPherson answered with a run in the bottom half, before Hastings scored a pair in the top of the third to take a 3-1 lead. Another Bronco run in the top of the fifth gave Hastings a 4-1 advantage. McPherson fought back to cut the lead to one, 4-3, but failed to plate the tying run in the bottom of the seventh.
Sophomore pitcher Kelsey Dutton (Limon, Colo.) (5-4) took the loss for McPherson despite striking out six. Dutton, Falk and senior Jamie Gilbert (Joplin, Mo.) contributed six of McPherson’s seven hits, as each player recorded two.
The Bulldogs scored first in game three with a pair of runs in the top of the first. However, the Broncos would answer with three in the first and four in the second en route to the 7-2 victory.
Junior pitcher Katie Logan (Clay Center, Kan.) (4-6) pitched six innings, while striking out five in the loss. Gilbert paced the MC offense with a 3-for-4 effort from the plate.
The Bulldogs close out the Tucson Invitational Wednesday with games against Calvin College and Hastings College.
