Photo by Natalia Ahrens
McPherson, Kan. – The McPherson College baseball team wrapped up the regular season, going 1-2 in a three game series at home against the Bethany College Swedes.
The Bulldogs won a shootout in game one, 16-11, but in games two and three the offense was cold. The Swedes won game two 6-1, and then on Sunday, finished off the series winning game three 7-1.
The Bulldogs pounded out 14 hits in the series opener, including four that left the yard. Four Bulldogs had multiple hits, including Kris Perez, who was back in the lineup after a two week injury hiatus. He finished game one going 2 for 4 with a homerun and three RBI. Joining him were Kyle Lux, 3 for 5 with a homerun, James Canar, 2 for 5 with a double, and Hunter Robinson, who was 2 for 5 with a grand slam.
Alex Escoabar got the start against the Swedes on Saturday. He went four innings, allowing just one run on three hits with four strikeouts and one walk. Unfortunately he didn't pitch enough innings to factor into the decision. The win instead went to Jacob Gilcrease, who worked the final two innings. He allowed two runs on two hits, but the Bulldogs retook the lead while he was still on the mound, so he picked up the win.
In the final two games of the series, the Bulldogs managed just two runs on nine hits. A lot of that had to do with the arms the Swedes threw at the Bulldogs in games two and three. Bethany's two starting pitchers for those games each threw seven innings, and combined for 23 strikeouts.
The offensive bright spot for the Bulldogs in game two was Jonah Shabry, who went 3 for 4 in the leadoff spot. In Sunday's game, Malik Bond was the only Bulldog with more than one hit. Bond went 2 for 4 with triple.
On the mound, the Bulldogs employed nine pitchers in games two and three. In game two on Saturday, the Bulldogs used three arms, and in the finale on Sunday, six pitchers made an appearance. The starters in both games, Tyler Norris in game two, and Blake Maddock in game three, collared the losses.
Before Sunday's finale, the Bulldogs honored seniors. Tyler Carrasco, Jake Herman, Logan Worswick, Jordan Keanini, Kris Perez, Charles Munns, Chopper Wade, Tyler Wood, Malik Bond, Greg Neiger, Kyle Lux, Nathan Robl, and Hunter Hughes, all suited up for the final time at Bulldog Park.
The Bulldogs wrap up the regular season at 34-11 overall, and 22-11 in KCAC games. The Bulldogs now turn their sights to the KCAC tournament, which starts next week. Match ups and times haven't been released by the conference yet, but the Bulldogs will likely be the #3 or #4 seed in the tournament, and will play an opening round game sometime on Wednesday.
Â
