McPHERSON, Kan. (macbulldogs.com) ---
Trevor Haycock (New Iberia, La., New Iberia Sr. HS) hit a two-run walkoff single in the bottom of the ninth to give the McPherson College baseball team a 4-3 come-from-behind victory over Ottawa University in a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) matchup Monday afternoon at Light Capital Diamond.
The win gave the Bulldogs (10-15, 3-3 KCAC) the sweep in the regular-season series with the Braves (18-9, 2-4 KCAC).
"I give credit to Trevor Haycock," remarked head coach Bryan Moses. "[He] hung with curveballs from [Ottawa reliever Nathan Roth] and finally got a pitch he could handle and used the middle of the field with two strikes like he's supposed to."
After a scoreless first inning, McPherson had an opportunity to take an early lead in the bottom of the second inning as
Evan Willow (Victoria, B.C., Canada, Lambrick Park HS) led off the frame with a double and courtesy runner
Jakob Shields (DeSoto, Kan., DeSoto HS) reached third on a
Dylan Fontenot (Lafayette, La., Carencro HS) fly out. Shields was caught trying to steal home on a failed squeeze attempt by
Reily Martin (Auburn, Kan., Hayden HS). Martin followed with a two-out single, but was stranded after another fly out.
Ottawa pounced on McPherson's failed opportunity, scoring two runs on three hits in the top of the third.
The Bulldogs cut the lead in half with a run in the fourth as Shields scored on an RBI single by Martin after Willow reached on an error.
The Braves scored one in the sixth to push the lead back to two runs in the sixth when Chris Rodriguez scored on a passed ball by Willow after reaching on a two-out triple.
Ottawa had an opportunity to extend the lead in the ninth with runners on first and second with none out. Onix Martinez laid down a sacrifice bunt at the feet of McPherson third baseman
Bryce Strecker (Hutchinson, Kan., Trinity Catholic HS), who wheeled around and threw to Fontenot at third base to force out the lead runner. Alexis Cruz followed with a single to load the bases, but Randy Perez hit a grounder to Strecker just in front of the bag at third base. Strecker reached back and tagged the base with his glove for the first out, then popped up and fired the ball across the field to Lane Fleming at first base to complete the 5-3 inning-ending double play.
Strecker opened the bottom of the ninth with a single to right, but was forced out at second on a fielder's choice off the bat of
Jackson Goodmiller (St. George, Kan., Rock Creek HS).
Trent Smith (Wellsville, Kan., Wellsville HS) followed with a single through the hole at second base. Goodmiller went from first to third on the play, drawing a throw from the outfielder and allowing Smith to advance to second. After
Dylan Klava (Douglas, Wyo., Colby CC) was walked intentionally to load the bases, Haycock came through with a single up the middle to score both Goodmiller and Smith to end the game.
"Once again, we continue to prove how resilient a group we are," added Moses. "To be down 3-1 late and having trouble hitting [OU starter Cole Boardman], to just hang in there and set it up for the late innings and get the win was huge."
The Bulldogs finished with 14 hits, led by Martin and Smith with three apiece. Haycock, Willow and Goodmiller also had multiple hits, while Fontenot and Willow each had a double for McPherson's only extra-base hits.
McPherson starter
Blake Ware (Overland Park, Kan., Allen County CC) pitched 7 2/3 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on eight hits and two walks while striking out two. He was relieved with two outs in the eighth inning by
Soren Yarnall (Tustin, Calif., Santa Ana College). Yarnall threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings to get the win, allowing just two hits and a walk.
Chris Morrison, Martinez and Cruz each had two hits to lead Ottawa. Boardman gave the Braves a solid performance on the mound, going eight innings and allowing two runs (one earned) on 11 hits and a walk. Roth took the loss after allowing two runs on three hits and a walk in the ninth.
"I thought Blake Ware threw very well today," Moses said. "It's just a gritty bunch and I'm happy to be coaching them."
The Bulldogs go on the "road" to Light Capital Diamond Tuesday evening for the second of four scheduled meetings with crosstown rival Central Christian College. The Tigers (7-17) took the first meeting between the schools by a 10-4 score on Feb. 14.
