YORK, Neb. (macbulldogs.com) ---
Brevin Baessler (Tempe, Ariz., Western Nebraska CC) and
Dominick Ramos (Fresno, Calif., Hartnell College) each hit a home run, but the McPherson College baseball team came out on the short end of an 8-4 result against York College in a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) series opener Friday night at Leavitt Stadium.
The Panthers (22-23, 13-15 KCAC) grabbed a 2-0 lead after one inning on sacrifice flies by Jake Sola and Connor Towle.
The Bulldogs cut the lead in half with a run in the top of the second.
Evan Willow (Victoria, B.C., Canada, Lambrick Park HS) drew a leadoff walk, then moved to second on a wild pitch before being driven in by Ramos on an RBI single to right.
York made it 3-1 in the fifth as Billy Damon rapped a two-out RBI single to left with the bases loaded. The Panthers gambled and tried to plate a second runner on the play but Travis Turner was thrown out at the plate by Baessler from left field.
A solo blast to left by Baessler in the seventh once again made it a one-run game, but York responded with three runs in the bottom of the inning as Damon hit a three-run shot off McPherson reliever
Bailey Porter (Loveland, Colo., Thompson Valley HS) to give the Panthers a 6-2 lead.
The hosts added two more runs in the eighth as Kodiak Ratzlaff scored on a Turner sacrifice fly and Isaiah Bond hit a solo home run.
In its final at-bat, McPherson plated a pair of runs on a one-out two-run homer by Ramos off York starter Matt Lindsley. That ended Lindsley's day as Corey Mixon came on and got the final two outs of the game.
Lindsley picked up the win, scattering six hits and a walk while striking out seven.
Garrett Connor (Highlands Ranch, Colo., Arapahoe HS) took the loss for McPherson. He allowed five runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out four in 6 1/3 innings. Porter pitched the final 1 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on four hits.
Ramos had three of the Bulldogs' six hits and three RBIs. In addition to Baessler's home run, Trent Smith and Trevor Haycock reached on singles.
Damon led York with two hits and four RBIs. DB Vidal and Casey Wagnon added two hits apiece.
McPherson closes out the series and the season with a doubleheader Saturday afternoon at Leavitt Stadium. First pitch for game one is slated for 1 p.m.
