McPherson, Kan. – The first round of the "Battle for McPherson" went the way of Central Christian College as the Bulldogs dropped the doubleheader 9-6, 7-6 on Tuesday night; Mac will get their chance at revenge on March 16th.
"We have a lot of talented players on our team; we are trying to find a few different combinations that can be effective both offensively and defensively," said Coach Spencer. "We are going to keep working to find the intensity that we had this past weekend. We will need it going into our tournament this weekend."
Game 1 – L 9-6
Both teams started hot and scored a pair of runs in the opening inning, leading one to think it was going to be a high-scoring affair. However, things settled down and heading into the sixth, the teams were deadlocked at 3-3.
Central nearly doubled their hit total in the final two innings and put five runs on the board in the sixth and another in the seventh. The Bulldogs scored three of their own in the sixth but fell just short in the seventh, losing 9-6.
10 hits were tallied by MC with both Emily Davis and Katie Holmes logging three in their four at-bats; four others recorded one hit.
Sydney Lang pitched the first five innings and recorded the loss; the freshman surrendered seven runs, five of which were earned, on 12 hits and one walk.
Game 2 – L 7-6
The second game again started well for Mac as they put three runs across in the second inning to jump in front 3-0. Central Christian scored one in the third but the Bulldogs answered to keep their three-run cushion.
After a scoreless fourth, the Lady Tigers took advantage of a couple MC errors and had a big fifth inning, plating four runs and jumping in front 5-4.
CCC put another two across in the seventh and McPherson tried to at least push the game to extras but were one-run shy, falling 7-6.
Only seven hits were tabbed by Mac and six came from three players as Simone Donaldson, Chevelle Komar, and Holmes each had two. Davis made it safely to first twice on walks.
The game two starting pitcher for the Bulldogs was Katie Usdansky who threw for five innings before being relieved; she allowed five runs with just one being earned on six hits and two walks.
McPherson will have their annual home softball tournament this weekend, hosting 14 teams on March 11th and 12th. The 'Dogs will play the two late games on Friday, 4:00 p.m. (CT) vs. Avila University and 6:00 vs. Benedictine College; on Saturday, Mac gets the early contests, 10:00 a.m. vs. Morningside College and 12:00 p.m. vs. Graceland University.
Click here for the full bracket.
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McPherson College is a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference member school and a part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
