SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (macbulldogs.com) --- The McPherson College baseball team was swept by Evangel University, 5-2 and 8-4, Friday afternoon to open a weekend series at Crusader Field.
Game 1 --- Evangel 5, McPherson 3
Evan Willow (Victoria, B.C., Canada, Lambrick Park HS) had three hits, including a double and a home run, to lead McPherson, but Evangel used a four-run third inning to take the first game in the four-game set.
The Bulldogs scored in the top off the first inning as Willow rapped a two-out double to right to score
Dylan Klava (Douglas, Wyo., Colby CC) from first base.
McPherson had an opportunity to extend the lead in the third inning as
Bryce Strecker (Hutchinson, Kan., Trinity Catholic HS) doubled to right to open the frame and moved to third on a
Trent Smith (Wellsville, Kan., Wellsville HS) single to right.
Jackson Goodmiller (St. George, Kan., Rock Creek HS) followed with a would-be sacrifice fly, but Strecker was called out on appeal for leaving third base too early after tagging up.
Evangel took advantage in the bottom of the third, scoring four runs on three hits and a Bulldog error, to take a 4-1 lead. The Crusaders added to their advantage with a run in the fifth after Jordan Kirkpatrick scored on a two-out RBI double by Austin Alfrey.
Willow hit a solo home run in the sixth and
Reily Martin (Auburn, Kan., Hayden HS) scored on a Smith RBI single in the seventh, but the Bulldogs could get no closer.
McPherson out-hit Evangel, 8-5, in the contest.
Derek Kennell (2-1) picked up the pitching win for Evangel, scattering three runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out two in a complete-game effort. Five different players accounted for the Crusaders five hits, while Alfrey and Tanner McVey each had two RBIs.
Matthew Green (Torrance, Calif., Brethren Christian HS) (1-1) took the loss, allowing four runs (one earned) on five hits and three walks in 4 2/3 innings.
Loren Farley (Wellington, Kan., Wellington HS) threw one-third of an inning, allowing one run.
Jeromy Denton (Mesa, Ariz., Colby CC) pitched a scoreless sixth inning, striking out two of the three batters he faced.
Willow finished 3-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored, while Smith was 3-for-4 with an RBI. Martin and Strecker both added a double for the Bulldogs.
Game 2 --- Evangel 13, McPherson 4
Evangel out-hit McPherson just 14-12 in game two, but the Bulldogs could not string together enough hits.
As was the case in the opener, the visitors scored a run in the top of the first inning. Smith led off the game with an infield single, then advanced to third on a groundout and a flyout before scoring on a balk by Crusaders starting pitcher Brad Potts.
The Bulldogs threatened in the third as Goodmiller opened the inning with a single to right and moved to second on a
Trevor Haycock (New Iberia, La., New Iberia Sr. HS) groundout. A Klava single to right gave McPherson runners on the corners, but Willow grounded into a fielder's choice to end the frame.
Evangel grabbed the lead with three runs on three hits in the bottom of the third, but McPherson countered with one in the top of the fourth as
Lane Fleming (Council Grove, Kan., Council Grove HS) led off the frame with a solo home run - his third of the season. The Bulldogs followed with three more hits, but each baserunner was subsequently erased by the Crusaders defense.
The hosts put up five runs in both the fourth and sixth innings to put the game out of reach. McPherson mustered a pair of runs in their half of the fifth as Smith drove in Goodmiller with an RBI triple to right, then scored on a Klava sacrifice fly. The Bulldogs stranded a pair of runners in both of its final two at-bats.
Potts (2-1) scattered four runs on 11 hits while striking out two over five innings to get the win. Taylor Wood pitched the final two innings, allowing just one hit and striking out one.
Dustin Hargus had four hits and three RBIs for the Crusaders, while Jordan Kirkpatrick added three hits and three RBIs. Stevin Cisneros also had three hits and McVey and Jose Vargas both drove in a pair.
Cory Royer (Las Vegas, Nev., Dodge City CC) fell to 1-2 overall after allowing eight runs on nine hits and two walks in four innings of work. Oram threw a scoreless fifth, allowing a hit and a walk with a pair of strikeouts before working out of a bases-loaded jam.
Logan Worswick (Sachse, Texas, Sachse HS) threw the sixth for McPherson.
Smith and Martin each had two hits for the Bulldogs. Smith also had one of McPherson's three RBIs and scored a pair of runs.
The Bulldogs (7-9) and Crusaders (7-5) conclude the series with another doubleheader Saturday. First pitch for game one is slated for noon from Crusader Field.
