McPherson, Kan. – The 2015 McPherson College baseball season came to a close on Senior Day on Saturday. Mac, who were already out of the running for the KCAC Postseason Tournament, fell to Kansas Wesleyan University twice on Thursday and two more times on Saturday to end the year at 8-44 overall and 2-26 in conference.
Thursday, Game 1 – 11-2 Kansas Wesleyan University
The series didn't open well for MC as they allowed nine runs in the bottom of the second. The 'Dogs gave up another in the third but were able to get two back in the fourth putting the score at 10-2. KWU scored the game's final run in the sixth inning moving the winning score to 11-2.
Mac tallied seven hits in the loss. Trevor Haycock led the team with two knocks of the ball including a double. John Feaster tabbed a RBI for the Bulldogs with his single in the fourth inning.
Starting the game on the mound was Corey Taylor; he was only able to make it into the second before being relieved. Loren Farley pitched through the third and was then replaced by Keegan Hays who closed out the game; Hays netted four strikeouts.
Thursday, Game 2 – 18-7 Kansas Wesleyan University
Game two started better for Mac as they took a 1-0 lead as Feaster, on some nifty base running, scored on a wild throw. The lead didn't last as KWU put four on the board in the bottom of the inning. The Coyotes went on to score in each of the next five innings aside from the fifth; their biggest inning came in the fourth where they saw seven cross the plate. McPherson put four runs on the board in the sixth and then another couple in the seven but it was way too little, too late as they lost 18-7.
The Bulldogs only had five hits in the game and two walks. Kyle McDonald went 2-of-3 to lead the team.
Mac went through five pitchers in the contest. Colter Streck started the game and also picked up the loss; he went two and a third innings before coming out. Jesse Correll finished the third and pitched into the fourth but had to be relieved by Gage Calvin who wasn't able to make it out of the inning. Haycock got the final out in the fourth and then completed the final two innings for the Bulldog pitching staff.
Saturday, Game 1 – 13-5 Kansas Wesleyan University
In the opening game of Saturday, the Coyotes again scored in all but one inning. McPherson, trailing 5-0 in the bottom half of the third, put three runs up of their own to bring the score back within striking distance. A three-run fourth by KWU gave them back their five-run lead. The 'Dogs scored another two in the sixth but fell short with the final sitting at 13-5.
Seven homeruns were hit in the game by the two squads, McPherson accounted for two of them. John Lauts and Evan Willow each recorded a HR, Willow's was a two-run blast while Lauts' was a solo shot. Stephon Miller went 2-of-4 in the game and scored twice. Dylan Fontenot had one hit but it brought in a pair of runs.
The starting pitcher for MC was Ethan Dowling who threw for three innings before coming out of the game. Brant Rhoades got through a pair of innings before Farley entered in relief. Farley was not able to record an out and was quickly replaced by Treyton DeVore who took care of the final two innings.
Saturday, Game 2 – 9-5 Kansas Wesleyan University
In what turned out to be the closest game of the series, McPherson led 4-1 heading into the fifth inning. The 'Dogs gave up two in the top of the fifth and then another two in the sixth to put the score at 5-4 going into the final inning. The heavy-hitting Coyotes put four more runs on the board in the seventh to all but clinch their series sweep. MC scored one in the seventh but fell 9-5.
Mac logged nine hits and a pair of walks in the contest. Feaster and Willow each had two hits with Willow grabbing a double. Miller went 1-of-3 in the loss but the one hit was a solo bomb to left field in the fourth. Both Miller and Feaster each also got aboard via base on balls.
Nathan Crowe recorded 20 outs in the game and was one short of a complete game; the freshman had three strikeouts. Hays recorded the final out.
The year is now over for Bulldog baseball. They graduate two seniors in Victor Jose Betancourt and John Lauts. The majority of the team will be back next season and with all of the experience the young squad gained this season, it should be a much improved team.
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McPherson College is a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference member school and a part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
