SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (macbulldogs.com) --- The McPherson College baseball team closed out a four-game weekend series at Evangel University with a pair of losses, 6-5 and 5-0, Saturday afternoon at Crusader Field.
Game 1 --- Evangel 6, McPherson 5
The Bulldogs had an early opportunity in game one, as
Dylan Klava (Douglas, Wyo., Colby CC) reached on a two-out double to right-center in the first inning and
Evan Willow (Victoria, B.C., Canada, Lambrick Park HS) followed with a walk, but
Lane Fleming (Council Grove, Kan., Council Grove HS) struck out looking to end the threat.
The Crusaders plated the game's first run in the bottom of the second inning as Tanner McVey scored on a fielder's choice.
Evangel added three runs in the fourth, but McPherson responded for five runs in the fifth to take the lead. After
Trent Smith (Wellsville, Kan., Wellsville HS) scored on back-to-back Crusader errors, Klava and
Trevor Haycock (New Iberia, La., New Iberia Sr. HS) came across on an RBI single by Willow.
Dylan Fontenot (Lafayette, La., Carencro HS)Fontenot followed with a triple down the right-field line to score Willow, then scored on an RBI double to deep left by
Reily Martin (Auburn, Kan., Hayden HS).
The hosts tied the game in the bottom of the fifth as pinch runner Kyle Thurman scored on an Austin Alfrey single to right off Klava.
After a scoreless sixth inning, the Bulldogs were retired in order in the top of the seventh. Klava induced a groundout to open the bottom half of the frame. Thurman, who remained in the game as the designated hitter, followed by sending a 3-1 offering from Klava over the right-field fence to end the game.
Reliever Josh Lachnit picked up the win for Evangel after throwing two innings of scoreless relief, striking out one.
McPherson starter
Blake Ware (Overland Park, Kan., Allen County CC) lasted 3 1/3 innings and was charged with four runs (two earned) on three hits and three walks while striking out four.
Soren Yarnall (Tustin, Calif., Santa Ana College) finished out the fourth inning before yielding to Klava, who pitched the final 2 1/3 innings and took the loss.
Klava led the Bulldogs offensively with a pair of doubles. Willow had a hit and two RBIs, while Fontenot and Martin each had a hit and an RBI.
Alfrey went 3-for-3 for the Crusaders.
Game 2 --- Evangel 5, McPherson 0
Klava also picked up the start in game two, pitching three strong innings before running into difficulty in the fourth inning. After recording the first two outs, the Crusaders rattled off five runs on five hits and a Bulldog error before Klava was relieved by Zack McKay, who got McPherson out of the frame with a pop out.
The Bulldogs had a pair of runners in scoring position in the fourth, but a strikeout ended the threat.
After a scoreless fifth, McPherson went down in order in the sixth. Evangel rapped a pair of hits in its half of the sixth, but had one baserunner erased by a double play and stranded the other.
Klava opened the Bulldog seventh with a single to shallow center, then stole second before advancing to third on a Fontenot single up the middle. He was caught overrunning third for the final out of the game.
Tanner McVey picked up the win, scattering four hits and striking out five in a complete-game effort. Klava took the loss after his rough fourth inning. McKay pitched the final 2 1/3 innings for the Bulldogs, allowing just two hits.
Haycock accounted for two of McPherson's four hits, while Klava and Fontenot had the others. Thurman and Ryan Frye each had two hits and an RBI for Evangel. Vargas had a triple and a pair of RBIs.
The Bulldogs (7-11) travel to Oklahoma City University Wednesday afternoon for a single 9-inning game at 2 p.m. before beginning Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) play with a three-game weekend set at York March 4-5.
