McPHERSON, Kan. (macbulldogs.com) --- The McPherson College softball team fell to the University of Saint Mary, 5-1, on Sunday afternoon in the first game of a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) doubleheader at Wall Park. Game two of the doubleheader was suspended after one inning due to inclement weather. No resumption date has been announced.
The Spires (9-18, 2-1 KCAC) grabbed a 2-0 lead in the second inning when Alana Renshaw scored on a Samantha Torres RBI double to right-center and Nicole DeSimone crossed when Maddison Carr reached on a dropped pop-up.
The Bulldogs (14-15, 0-3 KCAC) cut the lead in half with a run in the fourth.
Judith Salazar (Santa Maria, Calif., Allen Hancock College) blasted a one-out double down the left-field line, then scored on a
Kortney Jones (Brentwood, Calif., Liberty HS) RBI single up the middle. McPherson ended up loading the bases in the frame but could not push another run across and stranded all three runners.
Saint Mary added three runs in the fifth as Tycee Coplan scored on a Kayla Hackney single down the left-field line, Carrie Lee scored on a DeSimone RBI double to deep left and Renshaw was brought in by a Torres sacrifice fly.
The Bulldogs threatened in their half of the fifth as
Jessica Jones (Brentwood, Calif., Liberty HS) hit a single to third and Salazar reached on a walk but both runners were stranded.
Each team left the bases loaded in the sixth. For McPherson, pinch-hitter Ali Smith led off the frame with a single up the middle, then moved to second on an
Erica Almaraz (San Bernandino, Calif., Aquinas HS) single to left.
Jordynn Corea (Amarillo, Texas, Tascosa HS) reached on a wild throw, loading the bases with just one out. Lee got out of the jam with a strikeout and a ground out to short.
After retiring the Spires in order in the seventh, the Bulldogs had one final chance at a rally. All they were able to muster was a two-out single up the middle by Kortney Jones.
Saint Mary finished with 10 hits off McPherson pitcher
Christie Betker (Reno, Nev., Reno HS), led by two each by DeSimone, Hannah Gradillas and Marisa Cabrales. Torres drove in a pair, while Hackney and DeSimone added on RBI apiece.
Lee picked up the win for the Spires, allowing just one run on four hits and three walks in two stints in the circle covering 5 2/3 innings.
Betker took the loss, allowing five runs (four earned) on 10 hits and a walk while striking out five and hitting one in a complete-game effort.
Offensively, McPherson had seven hits, including two by Kortney Jones. Jones accounted for the Bulldogs' lone RBI and also drew a walk.
Weather permitting, the Bulldogs will be at home twice in the upcoming week. First up is a KCAC doubleheader against York College scheduled for 4 p.m. Tuesday at Wall Park. Following that is a matchup with Kansas Wesleyan University at 1 p.m. Saturday.
