Baldwin City, Kan. - After falling 8-0 in the opening game of Saturday's doubleheader, the MC softball squad came out and took the first five innings of the second; unfortunately, Baker University was able to mount a comeback in the final two innings, winning 5-4.
Game 1 - L 8-0 5 Innings
Baker stormed out of the gate in the first contest, jumping ahead 4-0 after one inning of play. The Bulldog D upped their game in the following innings, allowing just one hit in the second and third innings combined.
The Wildcats scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth and then another two in the fifth to force the run-rule finish, 8-0.
The offense for Mac had trouble putting runners on, logging zero hits in the game; they drew two walks and left both those runners stranded. Katie Holmes and Shelby Maycumber were the two who made it aboard via base on balls.
Sydney Lang picked up the loss for the MC pitching staff, allowing six runs on eight hits and one walk in her four innings; she struck out three. Mallory Fowler threw for two-thirds innings to finish the game.
Game 2 - L 5-4
The Lady Bulldogs jumped in front 1-0 after their half of the first but Baker scored two in the bottom of the inning to take the lead.
After a couple scoreless innings, of which Mac left three runners on, the 'Dogs tied things up in the fourth at 2-2. Katie Usdansky forced BU into a three-up three-down in the bottom of the inning and McPherson scored another pair of runs to push their lead to 4-2 after five.
Baker was able to bring two around in the bottom of the sixth, taking advantage of a MC miscue and tying things up at 4-4.
Mac left two more on the bags in the seventh and the Wildcats were able to score one in their half, ending the game at 5-4.
The 'Dogs tallied seven hits in the contest with Emily Davis going 3-of-4 from the plate including a double. Amanda Darrow logged her first homerun of the season. MC left 11 runners stranded in the game.
Usdansky went the first six innings on the mound, surrendering two runs on six hits while striking out three. Lang entered in the sixth inning and picked up the loss after throwing one and a third innings.
The next set of games will come down in Wichita, Kansas as the teams compete in the Friends University Tournament. Mac will play a pair of games on Friday and then three more on Saturday.
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McPherson College is a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference member school and a part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
