Baseball | 4/5/2014 5:38:00 PM
Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 |
Box Score 3 |
Box Score 4 McPherson, Kan. – A 1-3 showing against the Swedes of Bethany was not what Bulldog baseball needed as they are now sitting fifth in the KCAC with a 7-9 record with games against the league's best teams next on the conference docket; Mac currently sits at 12-22 on the year.
Game 1 – vs. Bethany College – W 5-4 – 8 Innings
It was a game of zeroes and ones as the two clubs battled into extra innings for the first game of the series. Bethany had the lead from the start with a one-run first inning and never trailed until MC's final run crossed the plate in the eighth to give the 'Dogs the 5-4 victory; Mac's two-run seventh inning allowed them to push things into extra frames.
Despite leaving 11 guys on the bags, McPherson was still able to get game one. The Bulldogs logged 12 hits and got on five times via walks; they were led by Austin Russell's (Victoria, British Columbia, Canada) 4-of-5 showing from the plate. Zach Wilson (Miliken, Colo.) tabulated three hits which tied Jordan Slaton (Dodge City, Kan.) for on-base appearances as he got aboard once on a hit and twice on walks. Jose Nossa (Valencia, Venezuela) recorded two of the team's Runs Batted In.
Taylor Werts (Mansfield, Texas) picked up his fifth win of the season, throwing the complete seven-inning game; the senior gave up four runs, all earned, off of eight hits and three walks while striking out five.
Game 2 – vs. Bethany College – L 10-2
This one was all Bethany as the Swedes took charge in the first two innings, sending three across the plate, and then put things away with a three-run fourth; another three-run inning coming in the sixth gave BC some cushion. Mac put up one run in both the sixth and seventh, leaving them with a 10-2 loss.
Seven different Bulldogs made it to first safely in the team's defeat. Josh Grant (Paris, Texas) and Seth Davenport (McPherson, Kan.) were responsible for the two RBI, hitting around Tom Potter (Dayton, Minn.) and Dorian Shelton (Kansas City, Mo.).
Throwing the first four innings was Scott Hughes (Albuquerque, N.M.); the senior struck out five but allowed 10 hits, six earned runs and two walks. Brant Rhoades, Corey Taylor and Seth Sterling each pitched an inning to help the 'Dogs complete the game.
Game 3 – at Bethany College – L 2-1
It was a low-scoring affair for the first game of day two between the Bulldogs and Swedes. BC scored in the opening inning and McPherson got one run in the third. Nearly four scoreless innings were brought to a halt in the bottom of the seventh as Bethany scored the winning run on a wild pitch, giving them the 2-1 edge in the series.
Russell, Potter, and Nossa logged the three lone hits for Mac; Nossa made it on via base on balls once while Potter recorded two walks.
Loren Farley (Wellington, Kan.) started things on the mound for MC; he lasted five innings, giving up no earned runs on six hits. Rhoades (Burlington, Colo) finished off the contest, giving up the winning run and picking up the loss.
Game 4 – at Bethany College – L 7-6 – 8 Innings
The final game of the rivalry series was a doozy and required extra innings. McPherson started the game on the right foot, scoring two runs in the opening frame; the Swedes would score three in the second but another pair for Mac in the third put the 'Dogs back on top 4-3. One run in the fifth and then again in the seventh gave the Bulldogs a 6-3 lead heading into the final frame. BC had their second three-run inning of the game to tie things up and force extra innings. The Bulldogs got runners into scoring position in their half of the eighth but couldn't deliver; Bethany on the other hand was able to send the game winning Swede across on a walk-off single, giving them the 7-6 triumph.
Wilson and Werts accounted for over half of Mac's hits as they each tabbed two; Werts logged a double and triple for his. Both Nossa and Werts were responsible for two RBI.
Grant pitched the entire game for MC, surrendering seven earned runs off of 11 hits and two walks; the infielder/pitcher recorded two strikeouts as well.
The 'Dogs take on Central Christian College for their next competition; the April 8th outing is scheduled for a 6:00 p.m. (CT) start time in McPherson.
Make sure to follow Bulldog Nation on Facebook (MCathletics) and Twitter (@MAC_Bulldogs); checkout McPherson Baseball on Twitter (@LightCapBasebal) and Facebook(McPherson College Baseball)
