McPHERSON, Kan. (macbulldogs.com) --- Third baseman
Kortney Jones (Brentwood, Calif., Liberty HS) had five hits -- including two triples and a home run -- and drove in five to lead the McPherson College softball team, but the Bulldogs came out on the short end of both halves of a doubleheader against Baker University Saturday afternoon at Wall Park.
Baker took game one, 9-6, and came from behind to win game two, 6-5.
Game 1 --- Baker 9, McPherson 6
Baker jumped out to a 5-0 lead with three runs in the first and one each in the second and third innings. The big hit for the Wildcats in the first inning came when Riley Swickard hit a two-run double to deep left-center. Hannah Toliver scored on a Jazzmine Thorpe sacrifice fly in the second, and Swickard followed with an inside-the-park home run in the third inning.
The Bulldogs rallied for a run in th fourth when Jones tripled to deep right-center to score
Judith Salazar (Santa Maria, Calif., Allen Hancock College).
After a scoreless fifth inning, the Wildcats added to their lead with a run in the sixth inning as pinch-runner Peyton Maulbeck scored on a Caitlin Hardgrove single to shallow left.
McPherson matched the Baker run with one of its own in the bottom of the sixth. After reaching on a fielder's choice,
Taylor Hires-Caulk (Fernley, Nev., Central Arizona College) scored on a single to shallow center by Jones.
Baker extended its lead to 9-2 with three runs in the top of the seventh.
The Bulldogs chipped away at the lead in its final at-bats, loading the bases with two outs.
Jessica Knoeber (Hutchinson, Kan., Trinity Catholic HS) scored when Hires-Caulk was hit by a pitch and Salazar followed with a bases-clearing double town the left-field line.
A wild pitch moved Salazar to third, but the rally would be extinguished as Jones flew out to deep right to end the game.
Olivia Brees picked up the win in the circle for Baker, allowing one run on three hits while striking out 12 in five innings. Madison Nedved threw two innings of relief.
Hardgrove had four hits, while Swickard was 3-for-3 with three RBIs. She finished a triple shy of a cycle.
Sydney Lang (Topeka, Kan., Shawnee Heights HS) took the loss for McPherson, allowing five runs on seven hits and a walk over three innings.
Kortney Jones, Salazar and
Jessica Jones (Brentwood, Calif., Liberty HS) each had two hits for the Bulldogs.
Game 2 --- Baker 6, McPherson 5
McPherson jumped out to an early lead in the first inning of game two when Salazar knocked a two-out double to left and Kortney Jones hit a two-run home run to center.
Baker cut the lead in half with a run in the second as Hannah Flynn scored on a single by Sydney Boaz.
The Bulldogs threatened to extend its lead in the bottom of the second, loading the bases on a trio of singles and a fielder's choice, but were not able to push a run across.
The Wildcats tied the game with a run in the top of the fourth when Madison Allen scored on a Flynn triple to deep right.
McPherson retook the lead with three runs in the fifth off Baker reliever Teagan Louthan. Jones hit an RBI triple to score Salazar, then scored on a
Katie Holmes (Harrah, Okla., Cowley County CC) single to shallow center. Holmes later scored on a single by
Jasmine Curiel (Corona, Calif., Corona HS).
Baker responded with two runs in the sixth. Swickard scored on a Madison Allen ground-rule double. Allen later scored on an Alexis Korte sacrifice fly.
The Bulldogs looked poised to add an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth. Jessica Jones led off the frame with a single to shallow left-center, then stole second with one out, before Brees was brought in from the bullpen. She proceeded to strike out the next two batters to get out of the inning.
Hannah Toliver led off the Baker half of the seventh with an infield single. The next two batters were retired, leaving McPherson was within one out of gaining a split in the doubleheader, but a dropped popup off the bat of Swickard allowed Toliver to score from second base. Allen followed with a double to score Swickard.
McPherson had one last opportunity to tie the game as Holmes kicked off the bottom of the seventh with a single. The next three batters were retired in order to end the game.
Baker starting pitcher Antionette Zamudio received a no-decision, allowing two runs on eight hits and a walk over four innings. Brees picked up the win, throwing the final 1 2/3 innings. She allowed just one hit and struck out four.
Allen finished with three hits and two RBIs.
Christie Betker took the loss for McPherson, allowing six runs (four earned) on nine hits and a pair of walks in a complete-game effort.
Kortney Jones was 3-for-4 with a triple, a home run, three RBIs and two runs scored. Jessie Jones, Salazar and Holmes each added two hits for the Bulldogs, who out-hit Baker, 14-9.
McPherson (3-8) concludes an eight-game homestand Tuesday when Graceland University pays a visit to Wall Park. First pitch for game one of the doubleheader is scheduled for 3 p.m.
