McPHERSON, Kan. (macbulldogs.com) --- The McPherson College softball team swept a doubleheader from Haskell Indian Nations University Saturday afternoon at Wall Park to complete an eight-game home stand with an unblemished mark. The Bulldogs (14-12) won game one, 24-0, then posted a 13-1 win in game two. Both contests were ended by run rule after five innings.
McPherson 24, Haskell 0 (5 inn.)
The Bulldogs pounded out 22 hits and took advantage of four Indian errors in the game-one victory.
McPherson scored three runs in both the first and second innings, added six in the third, then exploded for 12 in the fourth.
Kortney Jones (Brentwood, Calif., Liberty HS) hit a double and a home run, driving in three to lead the Bulldogs.
Judith Salazar (Santa Maria, Calif., Allen Hancock College) added three hits, three RBIs and three runs scored, while
Jessica Jones (Brentwood, Calif., Liberty HS) had four hits and five runs scored.
Ali Smith (Lodi, Calif., Lodi HS) also had three hits and two RBIs and
Jasmine Curiel (Corona, Calif., Corona HS) had two hits, three RBIs and three runs scored.
Brittany Childs (Junction City, Kan., Junction City HS) and
Jourden Masero (Westminster, Colo., Northeastern Junior College) each had two hits off the bench.
Sydney Lang (Topeka, Kan., Shawnee Heights HS) allowed just two hits and two walks while striking out nine in the five-inning complete game.
Brianna Smith struck out five in the complete-game loss for Haskell. Lacie Unah and Janene Shorty each had a single to account for the Indians' two hits.
McPherson 13, Haskell 1 (5 inn.)
McPherson jumped out to a 7-0 lead after two innings. In the first, Jessie Jones scored when
Azaria Romero (McPherson, Kan., Kansas Wesleyan University) reached on an error.
Jessica Knoeber (Hutchinson, Kan., Trinity Catholic HS) followed with a two-run single through the right side, then scored on a Childs triple down the right-field line.
Jordynn Corea (Amarillo, Texas, Tascosa HS) reached on a walk to lead off the second, then scored on a Curiel RBI single. Curiel came around to score on a Knoeber RBI single, while Masero accounted for the final run on a Childs RBI single up the middle.
The Indians broke through for a run in the third as Unah scored on a single to shallow left by Melony Nelson. Haskell finished with three hits in the frame, but ultimately stranded a pair of runners.
The Bulldogs added three runs in the bottom of the third as Corea and Jessie Jones scored on a two-run double by Masero. Masero scored later in the frame on a Romero RBI single to right-center.
McPherson plated three more runs in their final at-bats as
Linsey Kramer (Junction City, Kan., Junction City HS) scored on a fielder's choice, Corea crossed on a Curiel RBI groundout and Jessie Jones scored on a Masero RBI single up the middle.
Haskell had runners reach second and third with two outs in the top of the fifth, but Bulldog pitcher
Kylee Martin (Colby, Kan., Goodland HS) was able to knock down a screaming line drive at eye level off the bat of Kaitlin Cronemeyer, regain her composure and toss the ball to Masero for the game's final out.
Jones had three bunt singles and scored three runs from the leadoff position in the lineup. Knoeber had three hits and three RBIs, while Masero added two hits, three RBIs and two runs scored. Childs and Curiel each drove in a pair, while Corea walked three times and scored three times.
Martin picked up the five-inning complete game in the circle, allowing one run on four hits and two walks while striking out four.
Cronemeyer took the loss for Haskell. Brianna Smith had a pair of hits and drew a walk to lead the Indians offensively. Jamee Wood and Nelson added singles, while Shirley Leclair-Bernal drew a walk.
The eight-game winning streak is a school record, surpassing a quintet of five-game streaks in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2009 and 2012, respectively.
The 24 runs scored in game one tied the school record for runs scored in a single game, matching the total put up in a 24-1 win over Central Christian College on April 19, 2001. The 37 runs scored in the doubleheader ranks second to the mark of 44 scored against Central Christian in the same 2001 doubleheader.
"We are in a great position going into conference play," said head coach
Ashley Spencer. " It will certainly be a test as we play our first true road games Wednesday. We are excited to start KCAC play as a team and continue to grow."
Up Next
The Bulldogs travel to Wichita on Wednesday afternoon to face Friends University in the squad's first true road games of the season. It will be the first league doubleheader for both schools. After visiting Friends, McPherson returns to Wall Park for three consecutive home KCAC doubleheaders against Saint Mary (March 25), York (March 28) and Kansas Wesleyan (April 1).
