Photo by Micah Gilbert
McPherson, Kan. – The McPherson College softball team won two more conference games on Wednesday, sweeping the University of St. Mary Spires out at Bulldog Park in two one run games.
The Bulldogs, now 24-13 overall, and 13-3 in the KCAC, got locked into a couple of pitchers duels against the Spires, who are fighting to make it into the conference post season tournament in a couple of weeks.
Game one was scoreless through seven innings of regulation so the Bulldogs and Spires went into extra innings. The NAIA uses the International Tie Breaker in extra-inning games which means the player who made the last out in the previous inning is automatically placed on second base to start the next. The Bulldogs kept the Spires from scoring in the top of the eighth, then in their half of the inning had bases loaded and no outs.
Jenna Christensen (So. Fortuna, Calif.), hit a ground ball that caromed off the pitcher to the shortstop. Her throw to the plate was not in time, and the game ended 1-0 in favor of the home team.
Christie Betker (Jr. Reno, Nev.) was in the circle for the Bulldogs and picked up the win. She was lights out, pitching a shutout and scattering three hits while striking out 13, and walking just one. Offensively, it was a struggle for the Bulldogs at the plate. They managed just six hits, five of them singles, and stranded nine runners on base.
Jessica Jones (Jr. Brentwood, Calif.) led the Bulldogs with a 2 for 4 performance with a pair of singles, two stolen bases. The lone extra base hit for the Bulldogs was a double by
Kylecia Taylor (So. Ft. Hood, Texas) in the third inning.
Game two was another defensive battle that the Bulldogs had to come from behind in to win 2-1. The Spires scored the first run in the top of the third inning after an error by the Bulldog defense. The Mac ladies responded in the next half inning when Jones reached base on a bunt single then stole second base to get into scoring position. Two batters later, Christensen doubled to the right centerfield gap, scoring Jones to tie the game.
The score remained tied for the next inning and a half. In the bottom of the fifth, the Bulldogs had nearly an identical scenario. Jones again reached base on a bunt hit then advanced to second on a passed ball by the Spires catcher. She then advanced to third, tagging up on a fly ball by Taylor, then scored when Christensen again doubled, this time to the left centerfield gap. It would turn out to be the game winner as the Bulldog defense was able to hold the Spires scoreless in the sixth and seventh innings.
The Bulldogs got another superb game from their starting pitcher in game two. This time
Brittany Baroni (Jr. Galt, Calif.) was in the circle. She pitched a complete game, holding the Spires to just one unearned run on three hits. She had great command all game, striking out one, but giving up zero free bases.
At the plate, the Bulldogs came up with seven hits, led again by Jones who was 3 for 3, and scored both runs. Christensen was the only other Bulldog with multiple hits, going 2 for 3 with two doubles, and she drove in both of the Bulldog runs.
Coach Segovia lauded the play of his pitchers saying, "Christie and Brittany were locked in today. Proud of their effort today on the mound." He added, "Our defense made a lot of great plays as well. When you struggle on offense it's great to see the other elements of the game step up. Very proud of the team taking two games today at home!"
With the wins, the Bulldogs are now 24-13 overall, and 13-3 in the KCAC which is their most conference wins in almost a decade, with eight games left to play. They also are in the midst of a nine game winning streak, their longest of the season. They will get a chance to extend that streak on Saturday when they host York College out at Bulldog Park for Senior Day. The Bulldogs and Panthers will play a doubleheader starting at 1:00 pm, and after the games, the Bulldogs will recognize their five seniors.
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