McPherson, Kan. – After holding a four-run lead heading into the eighth, McPherson College allowed Central Christian College to climb back in and push the game into extra innings. Both teams were scoreless in the 10th but the 'Dogs scored a pair in the 11th which was enough to give them the 10-8 win. MC is now 2-0 against their cross-town rivals this season and is 13-12 on the year.
Game 1 – W 10-8 – 11 Innings
The teams combined for 25 hits, including seven extra base hits.
The top of the first saw the 'Dogs take an early lead, 3-0, and then they put four more on the board in the second to lead 7-0. CCC scored three in the second and one in the third to tighten up the game.
The 'Dogs brought another around the bases in the sixth and led 8-4 after seven innings. Central scored one in the eighth and then tied the game with a three-run ninth.
It was a scoreless 10th but Evan Willow gave the Bulldogs their final lead in the 11th inning. Reily Martin reached on an error to get on base in the eleventh, stole second, and then scored on Willow's single. Dylan Klava also made it home in the inning, giving MC a 10-8 lead.
Blake Ware got the win in relief for Mac after shutting down Central in the game's final frame; Ware pitched three innings and allowed no runs.
The Bulldogs' Martin, Trent Smith and Lucas Giesey combined for seven hits and seven RBI; Giesey was 3-of-4 with four Runs Batted In.
Mac will be back in action this weekend as they host the University of Saint Mary. The 'Dogs will play Saturday's doubleheader at the Grant Sports Complex starting at 1:00 p.m. (CT) and then Sunday the DH is set to be played at Light Capital Diamonds, again starting at 1:00.
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McPherson College is a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference member school and a part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
