OTTAWA, Kan. (macbulldogs.com) --- The McPherson College softball team was limited to just one run on nine hits and two walks as the Bulldogs were swept in a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) doubleheader Thursday at the Orlis Cox Sports Complex.
Game 1 --- Ottawa 4, McPherson 1
The Braves jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead after one inning as Elisa Valenzuela drove in Jenna Stigge with a double down the left-field line off McPherson starter
Christie Betker (Reno, Nev., Reno HS) then scored on double to deep center by Ellena Cott-Laurie.
Ottawa added to the lead with single runs in the fourth and fifth innings.
Outside of a walk drawn by
Azaria Romero (McPherson, Kan., Kansas Wesleyan University) in the second inning and a single by
Katie Holmes (Harrah, Okla., Cowley County CC) to lead off the fifth, the Bulldogs were kept off the basepaths over the first five innings.
McPherson broke up the shutout bid with a run in the sixth as
Chelsea Conrad (Ione, Calif., Argonaut HS) hit a one-out triple to deep left field, then scored when
Jessica Jones (Brentwood, Calif., Liberty HS) reached on an error. Jones was later picked off second.
Judith Salazar (Santa Maria, Calif., Allen Hancock College) followed with a single to shallow center but was stranded when
Ali Smith (Lodi, Calif., Lodi HS) struck out to end the inning.
The Bulldogs were primed for a comeback in the seventh as
Kortney Jones (Brentwood, Calif., Liberty HS) drew a leadoff walk but the next two batters popped out in foul territory and
Jessica Knoeber (Hutchinson, Kan., Trinity Catholic HS) grounded out to third for the final out of the game.
Betker took the compete game loss, allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out five in six innings.
Molli Morgan picked up the win for Ottawa, allowing just the one run on three hits and one walk in six innings. Jordyn Sage allowed just the walk to Jones in a scoreless seventh to get the save.
Valenzuela and Cott-Laurie each had two hits and an RBI for the Braves. Salazar, Holmes and Conrad accounted for McPherson's three hits.
Game 2 --- Ottawa 3, McPherson 0
McPherson had some early chances in game two but was unable to cash in, stranding two runners each in the first and third innings.
Jessie Jones led off the game with a bunt single but was erased when Salazar reached on a fielder's choice. Kortney Jones followed with a two-out single to right to put runners at the corners but a groundout ended the inning.
In the third, Conrad reached on a bunt single to lead off the inning and moved to second on a Jessie Jones single, but the Braves got out of the inning with three consecutive outs.
Ottawa took advantage in the third inning, scoring two runs on four hits off
Sydney Lang (Topeka, Kan., Shawnee Heights HS). Kenzie Stevens and Jenna Stigge rapped back-to-back one-out singles then pulled off a double steal to put runners at second and third. Stevens scored on a Kori Lacey single, then Stigge came around on a single by Valenzuela.
McPherson had an opportunity in the fifth as Conrad hit a one-out triple to deep center, but the Bulldogs were unable to bring her the last 60 feet.
Smith also had a leadoff single in the sixth but ended up stranded after two strikeouts sandwiched around a flyout to left.
The Braves added an insurance run in the sixth as Alexa Romero scored on an Amber Harris single before setting the Bulldogs down in order in the seventh to close out the game.
Morgan got the start in game two as well for the Braves, leaving after three scoreless innings with no decision after scattering four hits and striking out three. Sage grabbed the win, allowing just two hits and striking out five over the final four innings.
Lang took the loss for McPherson, allowing three runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out four in six innings.
Kori Lacey had two hits and an RBI for Ottawa. She was the only Brave with multiple hits.
Conrad and Jessie Jones each had two hits for the Bulldogs with Smith and Kortney Jones each adding singles.
"Our spark comes from some of our hitters and we need to find hits throughout the lineup and not just from a few people," said head coach
Ashley Spencer. "When it comes down to it offensively, we just need to be better [against Southwestern]. Both Sydney and Christie pitched well today. They both threw THEIR games and didn't try to change anything to get into a rhythm. They were definitely in their games. The key word [against Southwestern] is offense. If we can get something going offensively, whatever it is - small ball or big hits - we're going to take it and run with it."
It will be a short turnaround for McPherson 20-19, 6-7 KCAC), which will host Southwestern College (12-24, 3-9 KCAC) in a league doubleheader at 1 p.m. Friday at Wall Park.
