Photo by Jakob Komel
McPherson, Kan. – The McPherson College baseball team opened up the 2021 season with a pair of wins over the Peru State College Bobcats.
After COVID-19 shortened the 2020 season last spring, the Bulldogs couldn't wait to get back on the diamond. The Bulldogs were one of the top offensive teams in 2020, and on Friday, they picked up where they left off a year ago.
The Bulldogs won game 1, 13-5, scoring their 13 runs on 18 hits, seven of them going for extra bases. Charles Munns (Sr. Roseville, Calif.) was the opening day starter, working the first four innings, but not enough to pick up the win. Instead that honor went to Alex Escobar (Jr. Ceres, Calif.), who worked four and two-thirds striking out two and walking one.
In the second game, the Bulldogs spotted the Bobcats six runs, all of them coming in the second inning. The Bulldogs' responded to the six run second by the Bobcats, by posting eight runs in the third inning, and seven more in the fourth. In the end, the Bulldogs picked up the win in game two, 16-11, racking up 14 more hits, including for more extra base hits.
Isaiah Vasquez (Sr. Montbello, Calif.) got the start in game two but got roughed up early. Blake Maddock came out of the pen in relief of Vasquez, picking up the win in three and two-thirds innings of work. He finished with one earned run, four strikeouts, and one walk.
Key Statistic
The Bulldogs belted out six homeruns between the two games, two of them in game one by Noah Nelson (Sr. Danville, Ill.)
Bulldog Leaders
Hits: Jonah Shabry (6)
Average: Jonah Shabry (6 for 8, .750)
XBH: Noah Nelson (3)
Runs Scored: Noah Nelson, Tyler Wood, DJ Lewis, Jonah Shabry (4)
RBI: Noah Nelson, Kyle Lux (6)
Strikeouts: Charles Munns (8)
Coach Quote
"The main aspect of the day which made me happy was seeing the DOGS back on the field. Getting two wins was a plus! We still have a lot of work to do." – Coach Moses
 Next Up
 The Bulldogs are scheduled to play a four game series at home next weekend against Graceland University out of Iowa, but the weather may play a key role in whether or not those games actually get played. If they go off as scheduled, the Bulldogs will play a double header on Saturday and Sunday starting at 11:00 am.
