Baseball | 3/16/2014 1:00:00 AM
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Salina, Kan. – McPherson started conference play with a 2-2 split as they defeated Kansas Wesleyan once both at home and on the road. The 'Dogs move to 5-12 on the season and are 2-2 in the KCAC.
Game 1 – vs. Kansas Wesleyan – W 3-0
The opening contest of the weekend series was the lowest scoring of the set; 11 total zeroes were posted on the scoreboard as one run was scored in the third, fourth and sixth, all by the 'Dogs as they took the first game 3-0.
McPherson got aboard just seven times but was able to take advantage of the base runners; Jose Nossa (Valencia, Venezuela) logged two of the team's five hits, one being a double.
Pitching his first complete game of the season, Taylor Werts (Mansfield, Texas) threw 92 pitches to 30 Coyotes; he recorded nine hits allowed along with seven strikeouts. The senior is now 2-3 on the year at the mound.
Game 2 – vs. Kansas Wesleyan – L 4-3
KWU came out firing in the second game in McPherson as they posted a pair of runs in the second inning; Mac put one on the board in both the third and fourth innings to tie things up after four. Each team tabulated a run in the fifth inning and then Kansas Wesleyan put what ended up being the winning run up in the top of the sixth.
For the second-straight game, the Bulldogs posted just five hits; they also made it on safely three times via walks. Five different McPherson players logged a hit; Tom Potter (Dayton, Minn.) led the team with base appearances as he got on once via a hit and two more times via base on balls.
Starting the game at the mound was senior Nolan Huelsmann (Goddard, Kan.); the right hander went five innings, surrendering three earned runs on six hits while netting three strikeouts. Brant Rhoades (Burlington, Colo) threw for the final two innings, giving up three hits and one run to the nine batters he faced; the sophomore also tabbed a pair of Ks
Game 3 – at Kansas Wesleyan – W 8-2
The offense for McPherson exploded as they hit the road on Saturday; the team scored four runs in the opening inning of game one in Salina. KWU threw a run up on the board in both the second and third but two runs in the fourth and fifth by Mac ended all hope for the Coyotes as MC won 8-2.
Both Seth Davenport (McPherson, Kan.) and Nossa tabulated three hits, two RBI and one run scored in their four at bats apiece. Five other Bulldogs logged a hit in the team's win with Jordan Slaton (Dodge City, Kan.) leading the team in times crossing home plate with two.
Another win and another complete game as Scott Hughes (Albuquerque, N.M.) threw all seven innings for McPherson; he faced 27 Coyotes, netting seven hits and two runs allowed along with three strikes and a pair of walks.
Game 4 – at Kansas Wesleyan – L 8-1
For all the offense the 'Dogs had in the first game of Saturday, it was the opposite in the second outing as they had just one run on five hits. KWU scored one in the second and then seven more spread out over the fifth and sixth innings; McPherson's lone run came in the top of the sixth.
Nossa continued his strong hitting weekend as he belted two into play which led the Bulldogs; three other Mac players totaled a hit in the team's loss.
Starting things at the mound for the final game of the series was Josh Grant (Paris, Texas); he went for four and two thirds before he was replaced by Colter Streck (Woodland Park, Colo.). Grant gave up four runs, three earned, on five hits and a couple walks; the sophomore logged six strikeouts en route to the loss. Streck closed out the fifth inning but couldn't get out of the sixth, getting relieved by Rhoades; Streck surrendered three earned runs on three hits and a walk. Rhoades forced a pop out to the lone Coyote he faced.
McPherson will be in action over Spring Break starting with a trip to the Kansas City area; the 'Dogs play a nine-inning game at Avila University on March 17th starting at 3:00 p.m. (CT) and then another single-nine versus MidAmerica Nazarene University on the 18th starting at 1:00 p.m.
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