Lindsborg, Kan. – The McPherson College softball team was back in action on Saturday afternoon in a doubleheader on the road against intra-county rival Bethany College. The Bulldogs extended their current winning streak to five games, sweeping the Swedes on their home diamond 15-7 in game one, and 7-5 in game two, in extra innings.
Raegan Kleppe got the start in the circle for the Bulldogs in the series opener. She went six strong innings allowing four runs on five hits with seven strikeouts and one walk. She picked up the win, moving her record to 7-7 overall. In the bottom of the seventh, the Bulldogs went to their bullpen and brought in freshman Abigail Cordova who has seen sporadic action this spring. She got the final three outs of the game, allowing three runs on three hits with one walk.
The Bulldog offense was seeing the ball really well in game one. They scored a season high 15 runs on 11 hits with four of the hits going for extra bases. Eight different Bulldogs registered a hit against the Swedes in game one. Three of those eight recorded multiple hits, Molly Booker (2 -3), Nichole Martinez (2-4), and Lacy Weaver (2-5). The big hit came off the bat of Brandy Trengove, a grand slam in the top of the sixth inning.
In the second game, the Bulldogs had a 5-2 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh when the Swedes rallied to tie the game with three runs. The teams headed to extra innings where the Bulldogs came up with a pair of runs in the top of the eighth and then held off the Swedes in the bottom half of the inning to secure the win, 7-5.
Jordyn Johnson got the start in the circle for the Bulldogs in game two. She went five solid innings, giving up just one run on three hits with three strikeouts and four walks. She was lifted in the sixth and Kleppe came out of the pen to try and close things out. She allowed one run in the sixth, and then three more in the seventh on four total hits. The Swede comeback took the decision away from Johnson and instead the win went to Kleppe when the Bulldogs rallied in the eighth.
Offensively, the Bulldogs scored seven runs on nine hits. They were led by Mackenzie Egan who was a perfect 4 for 4 from the dish with two runs scored and three more driven in. Martinez continued to swing a hot bat as well, adding two more hits in three at bats, scoring a run and driving in another.
"Very proud of this group today," said Coach Segovia. "Anytime you can go on the road and win two games in conference it's a good day! We will continue to work hard and get ready for Tuesday!"
With the wins, the Bulldogs are 18-15 overall, and 10-4 in KCAC play. They will be back in the friendly confines of Bulldog Park on Tuesday when they host the Sterling College Warriors in a doubleheader starting at 2:00 pm.
