Bartlesville, Okla. – The McPherson College baseball team went toe-to-toe with nationally ranked Oklahoma Wesleyan University this weekend. The Bulldogs took down OKWU twice on Friday, 7-4, 5-3, but fell in both games of the doubleheader on Saturday, 10-2, 16-6.
Friday, Game 1 – W 7-4
The Bulldogs and Oklahoma Wesleyan passed the lead back and forth five times on Friday, but in the end, it was McPherson who pulled out a 7-4 win. It took a strong ninth inning for Mac to take the game. A sacrifice fly by Jackson Goodmiller scored John Feaster to give the 'Dogs the lead.
Evan Willow racked up two RBIs on two hits for MC; he homered in the second inning and singled in the seventh inning. Kyle McDonald, Matt Bryan, and Trevor Haycock each had a pair of hits as well.
Blake Ware got the win in relief for the Bulldogs; he pitched one inning and allowed no runs. Matthew Green had a solid eighth inning, shutting down Oklahoma Wesleyan. Dylan Klava went the first seven innings, allowing four runs on nine hits and three walks; the score was tied at 4-4 when he exited the game.
Friday, Game 2 – W 5-3
Bryan had two extra base hits, sparking McPherson to a 5-3 victory in seven innings in Friday's second game; he homered in the first inning and doubled in the seventh inning.
MC took an early lead after Bryan's solo homerun in the opening inning. The 'Dogs put another on the board in the third but Oklahoma Wesleyan tied up the game in the bottom of the inning. A two-run fifth inning put Mac ahead for good and the team added another run in the seventh for good measure.
Colter Streck recorded the win for the Bulldogs. He allowed three runs over four and one-third innings; Streck struck out two, walked two and surrendered seven hits. Ware put away the final three outs to record the save.
Reily Martin, Lucas Giesey, Willow, and Bryan all had two knocks of the ball; Martin and Bryan each tallied a homerun.
Saturday, Game 1 – L 10-2
Klava went 2-4 at the plate, but the 'Dogs fell 10-2 to Oklahoma Wesleyan in the first game on Saturday.
Four of McPherson's eight hits came in the eighth inning where they scored their two runs. Martin joined Klava with two hits, both singles.
After coming in relief, Lane Fleming looked sharp on the mound. Oklahoma Wesleyan managed just four hits and two earned runs during his five innings of work. Tyler Bailey picked up the loss for the MC pitching staff.
Saturday, Game 2 – L 16-6
The Bulldogs had a tough time keeping the RV Eagles off the scoreboard in the weekend's final game.
McPherson actually put the first points on the board as they took a 3-0 lead in the second inning. OKWU scored the next 15 runs and went on to win 16-6.
Bryan and Klava each led the team in hits with two; Bryan also drew a walk.
It was a pitching by committee game for MC; Green was the game's losing pitcher as he allowed six runs in three and a third innings.
It's back home for the Bulldogs next weekend as they host Friends University on Friday and Saturday; start time for the April 1st doubleheader is 5:00 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
