BARTLESVILLE, Okla. (macbulldogs.com) --- After a pair of close losses to open its Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) weekend series against third-ranked Oklahoma Wesleyan University, the McPherson College baseball team avoided the sweep with a 13-9 win Sunday afternoon at Doenges Memorial Stadium.
Desmond Grayson (Olathe, Kan., Olathe North HS) hit two home runs, scored three times and drove in six, while
Jakob Shields (DeSoto, Kan., DeSoto HS) had two hits - including his first collegiate home run - and three RBIs for McPherson (13-21, 4-8 KCAC) in the win.
The Eagles (28-7, 8-4 KCAC) struck first, scoring a pair of runs in the top of the second inning. Will Price drove in Chris Acosta-Tapia with a double to right, then scored when Alex Lugo grounded into a double play.
The Bulldogs rallied for four runs in the bottom of the frame as the first six McPherson batters reached safely.
Kyle Wedel (Wasco, Calif., Taft College) had an RBI single, while Grayson had an RBI single and scored when Shields drew a bases-loaded walk. The final run of the inning came when
Reily Martin (Auburn, Kan., Hayden HS) scored when
Dylan Klava (Douglas, Wyo., Colby CC) reached on a fielder's choice.
McPherson added four runs in the third as Grayson hit a three-run home run and Shields added a solo homer to extend the lead to 8-2.
After a scoreless fourth inning, the Bulldogs retired the Eagles in order in the fifth.
Evan Willow (Victoria, B.C., Canada, Lambrick Park HS) drew a walk to open the bottom of the fifth, then came around when Grayson launched his second home run of the game.
Price cut the lead to 10-3 wit a solo home run in the sixth, while Trevor Achenbach hit a solo shot of his own as part of a three-run seventh for Oklahoma Wesleyan. Acosta-Tapia followed with a two-run single up the middle later in the inning.
McPherson countered for three runs in the bottom of the seventh as
Dylan Fontenot (Lafayette, La., Carencro HS) scored on a wild pitch after reaching on an error. Willow later scored on a Wedel squeeze bunt and
Cody Gilbertson (Lincoln, Neb., Lincoln HS) scored on a Shields RBI single to right.
Oklahoma Wesleyan made a late rally, scoring three runs on four hits and a Bulldog error in the top of the ninth, but pitcher
Soren Yarnall (Tustin, Calif., Santa Ana College) was able to close the door on the Eagle rally and end the game.
Willow had three hits and scored four times, while Wedel added two RBIs. Fontenot also had two hits and three runs scored.
The Eagles rapped 15 hits, including three each by Achenbach, Acosta-Tapia, Price and Ortega. Price and Acosta-Tapia also drove in two.
Blake Randazzo took the loss for the Eagles, allowing 10 earned runs on 10 hits and two walks in five innings.
McPherson starter
Logan Worswick (Sachse, Texas, Sachse HS) threw 6 1/3 innings, allowing five runs on nine hits en route to get the win. After a short stint on the mound by
Zack McKay (Orange, Calif., Santa Ana College), Yarnall pitched the final 2 2/3 innings, allowing three runs (one earned) on five hits and a walk while striking out three.
Weather permitting, the Bulldogs will face Central Christian College on Monday evening for the third installment of their crosstown rivalry. First pitch is slated for 7 p.m. at Light Capital Diamond.
