Photo by Natalia Ahrens
McPherson, Kan. – A little over a month ago, the McPherson College baseball team went over to Hillsboro, Kansas and run ruled the Tabor College Bluejays on their home field. Today, the Bluejays came over to Bulldog Park and returned the favor, handing the Bulldogs their first home loss of the season, 15-5.
Things got off to a rough start for the Bulldogs with the lead-off hitter for the Bluejays sending the second pitch of the at-bat over the left field fence. In the Bottom of the first, the Bulldogs got that run back, but gave up another solo homerun to the Bluejay lead-off hitter in the top of the second.
The Bulldogs struggled to get their offense going, while the Bluejays seemed to be able to score at will. The visitors scored three runs in the third and fourth innings, then broke the game open in the fifth, posting six runs to the scoreboard. They added one more run in the sixth to take a 15-2 lead. Needing four runs to extend the game, the Bulldogs got two runs in the sixth, but came up a run short, scoring just one run in the bottom of the seventh.
Offensively, the Bulldogs scored five runs on eight hits, and stranded five runners. Three of the Bulldog hits left the yard, two solo shots and one two run homerun. Noah Nelson led the Bulldog attack going 2 for 3 with a pair of homeruns and three RBI.
On the bump, the loss went to Charles Munns, who got the start. He worked the first three innings, allowing five runs on six hits with a pair of strikeouts and one walk. Three other Bulldog pitchers came out of the pen to work the other four innings. Zach Perkins was first, going an inning and two-thirds giving up eight runs on seven hits. Next was Zach Reynolds, who worked the next inning and a third surrendering two runs on three hits. Isaiah Vasquez came out of the pen last, working the final inning, holding the Bluejays hitless and scoreless.
The loss drops the Bulldogs to 25-6 overall, and 13-6 in KCAC play. They will be back on the diamond this weekend in a three game series against the Southwestern College Moundbuilders out at Bulldog Park. The Bulldogs and Builders will play a doubleheader on Saturday starting at 12:00 pm followed by a single nine inning game on Sunday starting at 1:00 pm.
