McPherson, Kan. – The McPherson College softball team got back in the win column on Thursday afternoon with a split in a doubleheader with the Friends University Falcons out at Bulldog Park.
It would take extra innings to decide both games, with the Bulldogs winning 5-4 in the opener in eight innings, and the Falcons taking the night cap in nine innings 9-4.
In game one the Bulldogs had a 1-0 lead on an RBI single by Mackenzie Egan in the bottom of the fourth. They held that lead until the Falcons scored four runs in the top of the seventh. The Bulldogs responded in the bottom of the seventh with three runs to tie the game and force extra innings. The Bulldogs had two big hits in the seventh, a solo homerun by Maile Deutsch to start the inning then a two RBI double by Jenna Christensen that tied the game.
In softball, when a game goes to extra innings, they use the international tie breaker where the runner who made the last out in the previous inning, starts on second base. In game one, the Bulldogs held the Falcons scoreless in their half of the eighth giving themselves a chance at a walk-off victory. With runners on second and third and one out, Maile Deutsch hit a ground ball up the middle that struck Destiny Bacon, the runner at second. She was called out, but the runner at third scored, and the umpire crew determined that the run would count, ending the game.
Offensively, the Bulldogs scored their five runs on five hits from five different hitters. Katy Wilson got the start in the circle for the Bulldogs and pitched well. She went six innings, and started the seventh, but left the game after walking the first batter she faced. Shelby Bonn came out of the pen in relief of Wilson. She pitched the seventh inning, allowing three runs on three hits. In the eighth inning, the Bulldogs brought in Raegan Kleppe, and she shut the Falcons down, picking up the win.
Game two went back and forth. The Bulldogs took the early lead with a pair of runs in the second inning, but in the next half inning, allowed the Falcons to tie the game. They retook the lead with a run in the third, but the Falcons came back in the sixth inning to tie the game again. Tied a three, the two teams headed into extra innings again. Both teams scored a run in the eighth, so the headed to the ninth. In the ninth, the Falcons broke the game open, scoring five runs. The Bulldogs were unable to plate any runs in their half of the ninth, so the Falcons escaped with a 9-5 win.
Maile Deutsch led the Bulldog offense in game two. She finished the game 2 for 4 with a pair of singles and an RBI. The only extra base hit for the Bulldogs in game two as a double by Destiny Bacon to lead off the eighth inning.
After closing out game one, Kleppe was back in the circle to start game two. She went eight innings allowing three runs on 11 hits with four strikeout and zero walks. Coach Segovia elected to go to his bull pen in the ninth inning, bringing in lefty Brandy Trengove. She was credited with allowing four runs on three hits with one strikeout and one walk and was collared with the loss.
"I was proud of the team today," said Bulldog skipper Tony Segovia. "They played hard today and got a split. It was good to see everyone contribute in different ways. These kids are continuing to work hard on and off the field and we are proud of their efforts"
With the split, the Bulldogs are now 11-13 overall, and 4-6 in KCAC action. They will be back on the diamond again next Wednesday when they host the Bethel College Threshers out a Bulldog Park. First pitch of the double header is slated for 2:00 pm.
