Softball | 4/13/2021 11:47:00 PM
Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 Photo by Natalia Ahrens
Sterling, Kan. – After two tough losses at home on Saturday, the McPherson College softball team went on the road Tuesday, and got back in the win column, taking both games of a doubleheader with the Sterling College Warriors.
The Bulldogs needed extra innings in game win, but came away with the victory 7-6. The Bulldogs opened the game with a pair of runs in the top of the first. In the bottom of the second, the Warriors scored all of their runs, putting up a six spot on the Bulldogs. After that, the Bulldogs shut them down, and went back to work.
MC added two more runs in the top of the fourth, then tied the game at six with two more runs in the top half of the seventh. The Bulldog defense set the Warriors down in order in the bottom of the seventh to send the game to extra innings. The international tie breaker was employed, placing a runner on second base to start each half inning. Neither team was able to push across a run in the either the eighth or ninth innings, but in the top of the tenth, Lacy Weaver advanced to third on a passed ball, and then scored when Taylor Perez singled to left field.
The bottom of the tenth was exciting. The Warriors twice had a runner on third and a ball in play, and each time they were thrown out at the plate by Kylecia Taylor. The final out of the game was a swinging strikeout.
Raegan Kleppe went the distance in the circle for the Bulldogs. The sophomore, logged ten innings, allowing six runs on 11 hits with five strikeouts and just one walk.
Offensively, the Bulldogs scored their seven runs on 13 hits led by Maile Deutsch who was a perfect 4 for 4 with a double, a walk, and four RBI.
The Bulldogs kept the momentum going into game two. They opened the game with a run in the top of the first, then added three more in their next at bat. The Warriors cut the Bulldog lead in half with a pair of runs in the bottom of the third, bu the Bulldogs got them both back a half inning later. They added two more in the top of the sixth to take an 8-2 lead. The Warriors got one run back in the bottom of the sixth, but the Bulldogs answered with another run in the top of the seventh. The Warriors rallied in their final at bat and plated four runs, but their comeback stalled, and the Bulldogs escaped with the win 9-7.
Brittany Baroni got the start in the circle for the Bulldogs in game two. She pitched the first three innings allowing just two runs on seven hits with four strikeouts and zero walks. Shelby Bonn came out of the bullpen in the fourth, and worked the next three innings. She gave up just one run on three hits, and also had four strikeouts. Katy Wilson worked the seventh inning. She gave up four runs on four hits with one strikeout and one walk.
The Bulldog bats remained hot in the finale. They scored nine runs on 16 hits, only two of them going for extra bases. Again in game two, the Bulldog offense went through Deutsch. She continued her perfect day, going 5 for 5, with five singles and two more RBI. Brandy Trengove and Kylecia Taylor had the only extra base hits, both of the triples.
"Two very good wins today on the road," said Bulldog head coach Tony Segovia. "A team effort today everyone contributed to these wins. Super proud of the fight in this team and we will continue to work and get better for Senior Day on Saturday."
The wins push the Bulldogs back out to .500 at 15-15 overall, and 8-8 in conference play. They will honor nine seniors on Saturday when they host the University of St. Mary Spires for a doubleheader out at Bulldog Park beginning at 1:00 pm.
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