DALLAS, Texas --- The McPherson College baseball team moved to 4-0 with a pair of nonconference victories Saturday at the Dallas Christian College Tournament. The Bulldogs topped host Dallas Christian, 13-6, in the opener, then smashed Ecclesia College, 12-4, in game two.
McPherson 13, Dallas Christian 6
McPherson knocked out 14 hits and capitalized on seven Dallas Christian errors to top the host Crusaders for the second day in a row.
Dallas Christian took an early lead as Mark Zuniga homered on a 1-2 count in the first inning. McPherson responded with three runs in the first and third innings, four in the second, and two in the fourth to build a 12-1 lead. The Bulldogs took the lead for good with three runs in the first inning.
Dylan Fontenot (Lafayette, La., Carencro HS)Â and
Trevor Haycock (New Iberia, La., New Iberia Sr. HS) each had RBI singles off JT Berry. The Bulldogs' big second inning was driven by an
Evan Willow (Victoria, B.C., Canada, Lambrick Park HS) single and a double by
Lane Fleming (Council Grove, Kan., Council Grove HS). Dallas Christian scored three runs in the fifth inning, led by a single by Gabe Benza, a walk by Christian Thorpe, and a single by Jacob Patlan.
Matthew Green (Torrance, Calif., Brethren Christian HS) earned the win for the Bulldogs. He went four innings, allowing four runs on five hits while striking out seven. Berry took the loss for Dallas Christian, allowing 10 runs on eight hits in two innings.
Haycock, Fontenot, Fleming,
Reily Martin (Auburn, Kan., Hayden HS) and
Bryce Strecker (Hutchinson, Kan., Trinity Catholic HS) each collected multiple hits for McPherson. Haycock collected three hits to lead the Bulldogs, Fleming had two hits and three RBI, and Willow and
Dylan Klava (Douglas, Wyo., Colby CC) each a pair of RBIs. McPherson did not commit a single error. Willow had the most chances in the field with eight.
Patlan and Cameron Charman each collected multiple hits for Dallas Christian.
McPherson 12, Ecclesia (Ark.) 4
McPherson College grabbed an early lead on its way to a 12-4 victory over Ecclesia on Saturday. The Bulldogs took the lead on an error in the first inning.
Ecclesia scored three runs in the sixth inning. The big inning for Ecclesia came thanks to a single by Ethan Casey and a home run by Trevor Caldwell.
McPherson captured the lead in the first inning. An error scored one run for the Bulldogs. McPherson scored seven runs in the fourth inning. The Bulldogs' big inning was driven by a home run by Fleming, a walk by
Trent Smith (Wellsville, Kan., Wellsville HS), a single by Willow and an error. Ecclesia scored three runs in the sixth inning.
Blake Ware earned the win for McPherson. He tossed five scoreless innings, allowing two hits while striking out six and walking one. Martinez took the loss for Ecclesia. He threw four innings, allowing eight runs on five hits while striking out four.
The Bulldogs collected eight hits with Smith, Willow and Fleming each posting two.
Caldwell went 3-for-3 at the plate to lead Ecclesia.
"Creating early leads really helped us relax and play Bulldog Baseball," said head coach
Bryan Moses. "I am proud of our guys for beginning the season on such a positive note. They deserve to be excited but must also stay focused on the road ahead."
McPherson opens its home slate Saturday, Feb. 11, when the Bulldogs host William Penn University in a doubleheader. First pitch from Light Capital Diamond is noon.
