McPherson, Kan. – The Bulldog baseball team went 1-3 this weekend against the University of Saint Mary. Mac split on Saturday, losing the first 3-1, but winning the second, 6-5. On Sunday, the Spires won the opening game, 11-4, and then took the series after their 9-3 game two victory.
Saturday, Game 1 – L 3-1
Jesse Correll did his best to change the outcome, but couldn't will the Bulldogs past USM as they lost 3-1 at McPherson on Saturday.
MC went scoreless most of the way with their only run coming in the eighth inning as Trevor Haycock scored on a double steal.
McPherson tallied just five hits and three walks with Haycock and Trent Smith making it aboard safely twice. Haycock had one hit and a walk while Smith tabbed a hit and also made it to first on an error.
Dylan Klava was the game's losing pitcher. He lasted seven innings, walked two, struck out seven, and allowed three runs.
Saturday, Game 2 – W 6-5
After five lead changes in Saturday's game, the Bulldogs finally pulled out a 6-5 win over the University of Saint Mary. Mac won on a walk-off RBI single by Lane Fleming, scoring Matt Bryan.
In the bottom of the first, MC grabbed the early lead, 4-0. USM plated three in the second then two in the fourth to go up 5-4; the 'Dogs tied the game in the bottom of the inning on a Shon Pinard fielder's choice.
Fleming led McPherson's offensive threat, as he got on base three times in the game; he scored one run and had the winning RBI. Dylan Fontenot had a pair of hits including a double.
Blake Ware got the win in relief for the Bulldogs, pitching one and one-third innings and not allowing a run.
Sunday, Game 1 – L 11-4
After Saturday's miserable weather, Sunday turned out to be a beautiful day weather-wise, but not baseball-wise for McPherson. The Bulldogs jumped out to an early lead, but were unable to hold on and lost 11-4.
MC jumped in front with a run in the first inning. The Spires scored three in the third but Mac answered with three of their own in the bottom half. Saint Mary then put up four in the fourth to take the lead for good.
McPherson recorded 12 hits and two walks but couldn't string them together. Jackson Goodmiller, Bryce Strecker, Bryan, and Smith each logged a pair of hits.
Fleming couldn't get it done on the mound for the Bulldogs, taking a loss after allowing nine runs in four and one-third innings.
Game 2 – Saturday – L 9-3
Mac scattered their three runs throughout the last game of the series, failing to create the big inning. The Spires had a couple big innings to earn them the 9-3 win.
The bottom of the first saw MC take an early lead, 1-0 and then the Bulldogs plated one run in both the third and sixth. After pushing across their run in the bottom of the third, McPherson faced just a 4-2 deficit. Unfortunately, USM scored four more in the fifth to increase their lead to an uncatchable 8-2.
It was a good day at the plate for the Mac's Reily Martin; he went 2-3 and also drew a walk. Bryan also played well for MC with his three singles, one of which produced a RBI.
Tyler Bailey had a tough time on the hill for the Bulldogs as he surrendered eight runs in four and two-thirds innings.
McPherson travels to Oklahoma on Tuesday as they square off with Southwestern Christian University; start time for the Spring Break doubleheader is 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
