Baseball | 4/26/2014 10:46:00 PM
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Box Score 4 McPherson, Kan. – Going into the weekend Mac held a one-game lead over KCAC No. 6 University of Saint Mary and likely needed at least one win, and some help from Sterling College and Friends University, to have a chance at the postseason. Friday, the 'Dogs lost game one 23-5 and game two 8-5 and by dropping both games on Saturday, 17-3 and 13-7, MC just missed the conference eournament; they finished their season at 16-32 and 10-18 in league play.
Game 1 – vs Tabor College – L 23-5
Tabor started off quickly, scoring 11 runs in the first and didn't look back. Tabor put up eleven more runs over the next four innings and held a 22-0 lead heading in to the bottom of the fifth. Mac got a run across in the bottom of fifth and then was finally able to keep Tabor off the scoreboard in the top of the sixth. The 'Dogs were able to add another run in the bottom half of the inning, but Tabor got it right back with one of their own in the seventh. Taylor Werts hit a three run shot in the bottom of the seventh, but it was too little too late as McPherson dropped game one 23-5.
Dorian Shelton (Kansas City, Mo.) and Werts (Mansfield, Texas) were the offense for the Bulldogs, tallying two hits apiece and driving in all of the team's runs; Shelton drove in one and Werts had the other four RBI.
Nolan Huelsmann (Goddard, Kan.) started off the game pitching a third of an inning, giving up 10 runs, eight earned, on eight hits and two walks. Keegan Hays (Salina, Kan.) only allowed four hits and a walk in an inning and two thirds, surrendering four earned runs. Corey Taylor (Iola, Kan.) was brought in next and was responsible for four runs, three earned, on five hits and a walk in one inning of relief. Brant Rhoades (Burlington, Colo) was the only Bulldog pitcher to keep Tabor off the board, giving up just one hit in an inning of work. Tyler Lambert (Vinita, Okla.) pitched the final three innings and surrendered five runs, four earned, off of six hits with no walks.
Game 2 – vs Tabor College – L 8-5
The second game of Mac's senior day was much more competitive. Tabor again started the game by scoring in the top half of the first, but was only able to get one run; the 'Dogs answered back with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning. Tabor scored two in the top of the second and five in the fifth to grab an 8-1 lead. Mac would make things interesting with a grand slam coming off the bat of Austin Russell (Victoria, British Columbia, Canada) in the bottom of the seventh, but Mac came up short, losing game two 8-5.
Russell led the Bulldog offense with three hits and four runs-batted-in in four plate appearances. Werts would continue his hitting from game one with two hits and an RBI in the second contest of the day.
Scott Hughes (Albuquerque, N.M.) pitched all seven innings for Mac, allowing eight runs, seven earned, with ten hits and four walks.
Game 3 – at Tabor College – L 17-3
Tabor picked up where they left off on Friday scoring six runs in the first and three runs in the second to jump out to another early lead against Mac. The 'Dogs scored a run in the third on a fielder's choice, but allowed two more runs to Tabor in the bottom of the fourth making the deficit 11-1. Mac got both the runs back in the next half inning, but it wouldn't matter as Tabor would add six more runs before it was all said and done to go on to win 17-3.
Leading the way for Mac was Tom Potter (Dayton, Minn.) with two hits and a RBI. Russell continued to put runs on the board driving in the other two.
Josh Grant (Paris, Texas) started for Mac in the first game on Saturday going five and a third innings allowing 15 earned runs on 17 hits with two walks. Colter Streck (Woodland Park, Colo.) pitched two thirds of an inning in relief, surrendering two earned runs on two hits and no walks.
Game 4 – at Tabor College – L 13-7
Mac got things going early, getting four runs in the top of the first and seeing their first lead of the series. Tabor scored two in the bottom of the first to cut their deficit in half and six more in the bottom of the third to take the lead, 8-4. Mac got one in the fourth and one in the fifth to get within two but Tabor put things away with four in the fifth. Both teams scored one in the sixth to make the final score 13-7, Tabor, ending McPherson's season.
Russell, Jordan Slaton (Dodge City, Kan.) and Bennett Ratzloff (Shawnee, Kan.) all had two hits in the 'Dogs finale; Slaton would lead the way with three runs-batted-in. Andrew Pina (Wichita, Kan.), Zach Wilson (Miliken, Colo.), Russell and Potter each collected one RBI in the second game on Saturday.
Werts pitched five innings to start for Mac allowing 12 runs, seven earned, on 14 hits with four walks. Rhoades pitched an inning in relief giving up one hit and one earned run.
It's off to the recruiting trial for the McPherson coaching staff and off-season training for the athletes. The Bulldogs graduate a large chunk of their roster including four-year players Taylor Werts and Dorian Shelton.
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