Photo by Tyler Dunn
McPherson, Kan. – The McPherson College baseball team took two out of three from Southwestern College this weekend.
The Bulldogs swept Saturday's doubleheader, winning 9-8 in game one, and 8-2 in the second. In the finale on Sunday, the Builders outlasted the Bulldogs, winning 10-9.
In the series opener on Saturday, the Bulldogs' offense got off to a hot start, and jumped out to a 7-2 lead through four innings. Starting in the fifth inning, things began to switch. The Bulldogs cooled down and the Builders started heating up. The Builders scored three in the fifth and seventh innings and putting pressure on the Bulldogs. The Dogs managed to score one run in the bottom of the six that turned out being the game winner.
Alex Escobar got the start in game one on the bump for the Bulldogs. He went four and two-thirds, allowing five runs on 11 hits, picking up his KCAC leading 8th win of the season. Drake Miller and Jacob Gilcrease came out of the bullpen to help secure the win. Miller threw two innings, giving up three runs on three hits with two strikeouts and one walk. The last two and a third went to Gilcrease, who shut down the Builders, not runs and no hits.
Offensively, the Bulldogs scored their nine runs on 11 hits, with five of those going for extra bases including a double and four home runs. Kris Perez got things started, leading off the game with a solo homerun. Trevor Johnson led the offense going 3 for 3 with a double and two RBI. The other three homeruns were hit by James Canar, Tyler Wood, and Kyle Lux. The homerun by Lux gives him 29 for his career and ties the Bulldogs' career record.
The Bulldogs kept things going offensively in game two. They scored eight more runs on ten hits, only two of them for multiple bases. The two extra base hits were a double and homerun, both by Kris Perez. Perez, Noah Nelson, and Tyler Wood recorded multiple hits in the contest.
Tyler Norris got the start on the bump for the Bulldogs, and threw a gem, picking up his 5th win of the season. He went five and two-thirds, giving up just two runs on four hits. He racked up 11 strikeouts, and gave up just two free passes. Zach Reynolds came out of the pen to close things out in the sixth inning. He faced four batters in an inning and a third with one strikeout.
Game three was a struggle for the Bulldogs both offensively and defensively. Offensively, the Bulldogs scored nine runs on ten hits, but stranded ten runners on base. Defensively they committed a season high six errors which led to three unearned runs for the Builders.
The Bulldogs used five pitchers in the series finale, starting with Blake Maddock. The junior transfer was collared with the loss, going four innings and allowing six runs on seven hits. Out of the pen, the Bulldogs used Darby Gilbert, Zach Reynolds, Charles Munns, and Jacob Gilcrease.
Offensively, Noah Nelson had a great day at the dish. He went 3 for 4, with a double, a triple, and a grand slam. He finished with seven RBI on the day. Joining Nelson with multiple hits was Trevor Johnson who was a perfect 3 for 3 with three singles and an RBI.
Coach Moses commented on the weekend saying, "We let the third game slip away, we've got to be cleaner defensively. I thought we made uncharacteristic mistakes in the series. We were fortunate to win two of the three."
After going 2-1 on the weekend, the Bulldogs are now 27-7 overall, and 15-7 in conference play. They will be back on the diamond on Tuesday, going on the road to finish up their series with Tabor. The Bulldogs won the opening game of the series at Tabor back in March, but the Bluejays evened the series last week with a win at Bulldog Park. The rubber game is scheduled for a 3:00 pm start in Hillsboro, Kansas.
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