Baseball | 3/30/2014 10:44:00 PM
Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 |
Box Score 3 |
Box Score 4
McPherson, Kan. – It was yet another series split for Bulldog baseball but they did it in a slightly different fashion than what we're used to as they lost the first two outings in Ottawa, 5-1 and 4-3, but then took down the Braves, 12-11 and 10-6, in McPherson on Sunday. The 'Dogs sit at 10-19 on the year and are currently fourth in the conference at 6-6.
Game 1 – at Ottawa University – L 5-1
Saturday's opening game started well for MC as they scored a run in the top of the first inning; unfortunately for the Bulldogs, that would be their lone run of the game. Ottawa brought two across the plate in the second, another in the third and their final two runs made it around in the sixth, giving the Braves the 5-1 game one victory.
McPherson got to first just five times, three via hits and two on walks. Zach Wilson (Miliken, Colo.) tallied one hit and was the sole Bulldog to cross the plate.
Taylor Werts (Mansfield, Texas) pitched the complete game for Mac, throwing to 29 batters; he recorded five runs allowed on 12 hits while striking out eight.
Game 2 – at Ottawa University – L 4-3
This was a fast moving game as the two teams combined for just one run through five innings; MC held a 1-0 advantage heading into the top of the sixth. The 'Dogs would put one up on the board but then allow two in the bottom to tie things up at 2-2 with just one inning to play. McPherson scored another run and took a 3-2 lead into the final half-inning of the contest. After getting a runner on with two outs, OU knocked one over the fence on a full count, giving the Braves the day one sweep after the 4-3 win.
Mac played better in the second game of the day, tabulating eight hits and four walks. Seth Davenport (McPherson, Kan.) and Jose Nossa (Valencia, Venezuela) each logged two hits to lead the way; Davenport also got on via base on balls, making it safely to first a team-high three times. Nossa, Werts and Dorian Shelton (Kansas City, Mo.) recorded the three RBI for the Bulldogs.
Starting things at the mound for McPherson was Scott Hughes (Albuquerque, N.M.) who went five and a third, allowing zero runs on five hits and striking out four. Brant Rhoades (Burlington, Colo) pitched the final one and one-third innings, picking up the loss as he allowed all four runs.
Game 3 – vs. Ottawa University – W 12-11
In the first game of day two's doubleheader, McPherson jumped out to an early lead, going up 5-2 after three innings, but Ottawa managed to slowly creep back. The Braves took the lead, 9-5, following a monstrous fifth inning where they scored six runs on three homeruns that were aided by a strong wind blowing out towards left field; Ottawa added two more runs in the top of the sixth to make their lead 11-5. McPherson would rally late with a six-run sixth inning capped off by a 3 run homerun from Jordan Slaton. The offense heavy game would end however on a walk off hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded for MC.
Wilson led Mac in batting going 5-5 with three runs scored. Austin Russell (Victoria, British Columbia, Canada) and Slaton (Dodge City, Kan.) both had three hits for the Bulldogs and five combined RBIs; the 'Dogs also had two players with two hits and two others with one.
Nolan Huelsmann (Goddard, Kan.) got the starting pitching nod for MC, going the first four innings and into the fifth before being pulled; he gave up seven earned runs on nine hits and no walks. Josh Grant (Paris, Texas) came on in relief and gave up three earned runs and one unearned run on five hits and one walk, earning the win.
Game 4 – vs. Ottawa University – W 10-6
The Bulldogs again jumped out to an early lead going up 9-0 after three innings, seven of which came in the third inning off of two crucial Ottawa errors that might have kept Mac from scoring. McPherson seemed to control much of the game but Ottawa managed to make things interesting in the seventh; the Braves got the game-tying run to the plate with the bases loaded, but the 'Dogs sealed the deal with a pop up to shallow center-field.
Wilson and Shelton each went 2-of-3 with a walk for the Bulldogs while Russell and Tom Potter (Dayton, Minn.) also had two hits apiece in four plate appearances. Wilson led the way with four Runs Batted In and Grant added two more. Brandon Petersen (Rapid City, S.D.) was the only other Mac player with a hit, going 1-2 with a walk.
Colter Streck (Woodland Park, Colo.) started on the mound going four and two-thirds innings before handing the ball over to Rhoades; Streck gave up three runs, all earned, on six hits and four walks en route to recording the win. Rhoades went one and a third, allowing two earned runs on three hits and a walk before being relieved by Slaton who went two-thirds of an inning, giving up three hits and a walk with one earned run. Grant came in and got the final out with no hits, no walks and no runs allowed.
The Bulldogs are scheduled to host Bethany College on April 4th at Light Capital Diamonds; the KCAC doubleheader is scheduled to start at 5:00 p.m. (CT)
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Games 3 and 4 were written by MC student Caleb Hecker
