McPherson, Kan. – A total of 76 runs were scored between McPherson College and Nebraska Wesleyan University in their three-game baseball series; that's right, 76 runs in three baseball games! In very, very windy conditions, the Bulldogs won their first game of Saturday's doubleheader and then Sunday's lone contest.
Saturday, Game 1 – W 19-17
The 'Dogs took the early advantage, getting up 5-0 after three innings. NWU tied things in the top of the fourth but a seven-run showing by Mac put the Bulldogs back up 12-5.
The Prairie Wolves made a game of it late, putting four runs on the board in the sixth and then seven more in the seventh to take a 16-15 lead into the eighth. MC knocked around four in the bottom of the eighth and then held NWU to one run in the ninth, giving the Bulldogs the 19-17 win.
Both Dylan Klava and Matt Bryan each tallied three hits and two walks in their six at bats; Klava tabbed a pair of homeruns and had a team-high eight Runs Batted In. Kyle McDonald had a pair of triples for MC.
Matthew Green entered the game in the seventh inning and earned the win after giving up five earned runs on four hits and three walks; he struck out two of the 12 batters faced. Blake Ware picked up the save for the Bulldogs.
Saturday, Game 2 – L 16-13
In the second game of the day, it was the Prairie Wolves that jumped out to an early lead, bringing in five runs in the first and four in the second. Mac responded with six in the bottom of the third to tighten things up.
After allowing three runs in the top of the seventh, McPherson headed into the final frame of the game down 16-10; they were able to muster up three runs but fell just short, 16-13.
Bryan again led the team in hits with three along with a walk in his five at bats. Dylan Fontenot logged a team-high four RBI on his two hits. Both Bryan and Fontenot homered in the game.
Picking up the loss for the Mac pitching staff was Lane Fleming who started the game on the mound; he gave up nine earned runs on 10 hits in his two innings of work.
Sunday, Game 1 – W 6-5
The wind shifted directions on Sunday, leading to less runs for both teams. The Prairie Wolves were the first to put runs on the scoreboard with one in the second. MC answered in the third with a pair of runs. The Nebraska Wesleyan scored one in both the fourth and fifth innings and the Bulldogs tied the game at 3-3 after five.
Both teams brought two around in the eighth and after a scoreless ninth inning, they headed into extras. Ware shutout NWU in the top of the 10th and a walkoff single by Reily Martin sent Trent Smith across the plate to give the 'Dogs the 6-5 win.
Klava started the game 3-of-3 from the plate and was intentionally walked his final two times up. Smith recorded three hits in the game while both Martin and Trevor Haycock had two.
The Bulldogs used four pitchers in the nine-inning contest. Colter Streck started the game and lasted seven innings, allowing just three runs on seven hits while striking out four. Ware picked up the win for the Mac bullpen.
McPherson will travel to Bethany, Oklahoma for their next set of games; the team plays a doubleheader with Southwestern Christian University on March 1st starting at 12:00 p.m. (CT)
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McPherson College is a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference member school and a part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
