Softball | 3/29/2014 7:50:00 PM
Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2
McPherson, Kan. – It was a two-win conference weekend for the Dirt 'Dogs as they took out the University of Saint Mary twice, defeating the Spires 6-2 in game one of the doubleheader and 5-3 in the second. Mac improves to 8-11 on the year and 3-1 against KCAC opponents.
Game 1 – vs. University of Saint Mary – W 6-2
In the opening contest of the day, MC jumped ahead 1-0 after two innings but the Spires put one up in the third to tie things; the Lady Bulldogs pushed back in the bottom half of the third and scored four themselves to take a 5-1 advantage heading into the fourth. Mac scored one more in the fifth and USM added a run in the sixth but McPherson held on, winning game one 6-2.
McKenna Deckard (Hutchinson, Kan.) posted a 3-of-3 outing, recording a pair of singles and a homerun; she crossed the plate three times for the 'Dogs. Amanda Darrow (Jasper, Mo.), Emily Davis (McPherson, Kan.) and Cassandra Moreno (Wichita, Kan.) each logged a pair of hits while Whitney Miller got on once with a hit and another time via base on balls; Darrow tallied a two-run homerun for MC.
Pitching yet another complete game, Ciara Archer (Denver, Colo.) went the full seven innings, allowing two runs, one of which was earned, off of eight hits and three walks; the freshman struck out six en route to getting the W.
Game 2 – vs. University of Saint Mary – W 5-3
Mac stayed hot heading into the second half of the doubleheader, scoring two runs in the first inning and then another in the second, leading 3-1 after two innings. USM tried to creep back in with a run in the third but two more scored by McPherson in the fourth gave the 'Dogs a cushier cushion. The Lady Spires scored one more in the sixth but it was too little, too late as MC completed the sweep with the 5-3 triumph.
The Bulldogs recorded just nine hits but they came from eight different players with Archer being the lone 'Dog to tab two, showcasing her hitting skills. Ariel McGee (Denver, Colo.) led the team in RBI with two coming from her two-run shot in the fourth inning.
Jenna Kaiser (Billings, Mont.) started the game on the mound for Mac and threw for two and two-thirds innings which was just long enough to pick up the win; the sophomore allowed two earned runs, walked four and struck out one. Archer closed out the game for the Bulldogs, throwing to 17 Spires and retiring all but five, picking up the save.
McPherson is home for their next outing as they host their inter-county rivals in Bethany College; the conference doubleheader is set to begin at 5:00 p.m. (CT) on April 2nd at Wall Park in McPherson.
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