McPherson, Kan. – Bulldog baseball had their chances two win a pair of games on Saturday but could not convert in the clutch; MC left 14 stranded in their two seven-inning outings. Mac started the day with a contest against Robert Morris University this morning and then took on cross-town rival Central Christian College in the afternoon.
Game 1 – 8-4 RMU
The 'Dogs gave up one run in the opening inning to the Eagles but a four-run second by McPherson put them ahead 4-1. Robert Morris scored in each of the next three innings and then again in the seventh to get their final total of eight. Mac had a difficult time stringing hits together and ended the contest with just the four runs.
Nine total hits were netted by the Bulldogs; they also drew five walks. Kyle McDonald, Stephon Miller, and Dylan Fontenot each recorded a pair of hits while Reily Martin and Evan Willow each got aboard once via a hit and again on a walk.
Freshman Ethan Dowling was the starting pitcher for McPherson; he threw for four and two-thirds innings, allowing three earned and three unearned runs. Brant Rhoades came in relief and closed out the fifth and Nathan Crowe pitched the final two innings; Crowe recorded a team-high four strikeouts in his time on the mound.
Game 2 – 7-6 CCC
Following Mac's game with RMU, the Eagles then took down Central Christian 4-3. The day's third competition was between the Bulldogs and CCC. Through the first six innings, the Tigers put up seven runs to McPherson's one. But the 'Dogs were not about to surrender. MC rallied together five runs and nearly had a sixth which would have tied the game. As it stood, Central took game one of the three that the two teams will play this year.
McPherson got on 16 times in the game with seven being off of hits; Matt Bryan led the way with his two. Seth Davenport made it to first three times, twice on walks and another when he was hit by a pitch.
Keegan Hays pitched the first four and a third inning before being relieved; he allowed six earned runs on eight hits. Loren Farley, Corey Taylor, and Colter Streck completed the game for MC; the trio allowed six base runners and just one run in the final three innings.
The 'Dogs are off until conference play which is set for March 13th when they host the University of Saint Mary; start time of the doubleheader is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. (CT) at Light Capital Diamonds.
Make sure to follow Bulldog Nation on Facebook (MCathletics) and Twitter (@MAC_Bulldogs)
McPherson College is a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference member school and a part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
