McPherson, Kan. – The McPherson College baseball team had their chances against the 20th ranked team in the NAIA but the 'Dogs lost all four in their home series with Sterling College.
Thursday, Game 1 – L 6-3
The opening contest of the series was one that McPherson really had a chance of winning. The Bulldogs jumped out to a 2-0 lead after three innings of play but a four-run fourth by SC pushed the Warriors in front 4-2.
The 'Dogs scored one in their half of the fourth to tighten the gap but one-run innings by Sterling in both the sixth and ninth proved to be enough as they went on to win 6-3.
McPherson tallied 10 hits in the opener as well as one walk. Trent Smith, Lucas Giesey, Dylan Fontenot, and Jackson Goodmiller each recorded two hits with Giesey scoring both times he made it aboard.
Dylan Klava picked up the loss for Mac as the junior went the complete nine-inning game; he logged four strikeouts and just two walks in his time on the mound.
Thursday, Game 2 – L 8-1
The sticks were not rolling for Mac in the second game of Thursday as they tabbed just four hits.
The Bulldogs had a tough first three innings, allowing Sterling to jump in front 5-0 heading into the fourth. McPherson was finally able to bring one across the plate in the sixth as Reily Martin homered on a full count but it was too little, too late as the 'Dogs fell 8-1.
Matt Bryan was responsible for two of the MC hits along with fellow Canadian Evan WillowWillow and Martin's homerun.
After pitching for six complete innings, Colter Streck picked up the loss; he surrendered seven runs, six that were earned, on eight hits and five walks. The senior struck out five batters.
Friday, Game 1 – L 6-3
The first game of Friday was another that the Bulldogs could have stolen but a few late calls hindered a strong seventh inning rally.
Sterling scored four of their total in the third inning as they had a couple timely hits to put them out in front 4-0. After allowing another run to the Warriors in the top of the fifth, Mac scored two in the bottom frame to put the score at 5-2.
The 'Dogs scored one in the seventh but were close to adding more if the ball had bounced the other way.
SC put one more on the board in the ninth to take the game 6-3.
Mac had 10 hits and one walk in the contest; Smith, Klava, Willow, and Fontenot each tallied two knocks of the ball.
Blake Ware went the complete nine innings for the MC pitching staff; he gave up 11 hits and three walks while striking out three.
Friday, Game 2 – L 12-0
Much like game two on Thursday, the bats just weren't working for McPherson in the final game of the series. Unfortunately, the Warriors didn't have any problems as they used three big innings to take the game 12-0. Four errors on the part of MC didn't help.
Martin, Willow, and Giesey were responsible for the hits; Willow also drew a walk for the Bulldogs.
It was a pitching by committee approach for Mac with Lane Fleming earning the start and recording the loss; he allowed five earned and two unearned runs in his four innings on the mound.
The 'Dogs will take on KCAC leading and NAIA No. 12 Tabor College this Friday and Sunday in Hillsboro, Kansas; both doubleheaders are slated to start at 1:00 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
