STERLINGTON, La. — The McPherson College Bulldogs baseball team got the season off on the right foot Saturday (Feb. 11) with a pair of wins over Benedictine and Mid-America Christian University at the Cajun Collision in Sterlington, La.
"It was a good first day for us, with key contributors throughout the roster," interim co-head coach Andrew Pratt said.
The Bulldogs got off to a hot start in the opener, plating a pair of runs in the top of the first inning. Gage Ninness scored the Bulldog's first run of the season on a single by Antonio Fernandez, then JT Edmunds reached on a fielder's choice, bringing around Caleb Feuerstake.
Benedictine scored once in the bottom of the inning, but the Bulldogs added to their lead with a three-run third frame that saw Fernandez, Andres Artola, and Edmunds all reach home.
Kevinn Castillo joined the party, singling home Fernandez again, pushing the Bulldog's lead to 6-1. But the Ravens showed signs of life, scoring one run in the fourth and four runs in the fifth to cut it to a one-run Bulldog lead.
The Bulldogs added three insurance runs in the seventh to seal the season-opening victory.
Blake Maddock got the call on the bump for the Bulldogs, throwing 4.2 innings with four strikeouts. Fernandez finished 3-for-4 at the plate, scoring twice and driving in one run.
"Offensively we had strong days from Antonio Fernandez and Gage Ninness, and on the mound, the guys just battled," Pratt said. "Blake Maddock, Drake Miller, and Darby Gilbert all found ways to get outs, and Matt Whitney was filthy."
In the nightcap, the Bulldogs fell behind 1-0 after the first inning, but Maddock settled in to hold the Evangels scoreless. That's when the bats came out for the Bulldogs, scoring eight unanswered runs.
The Bulldogs are back for more tomorrow at the Cajun Collision, taking on fourth-ranked LSU-Shreveport at 11 a.m. before squaring off against Louisiana Christian at 2:30 p.m.
"Tomorrow is a big day for our program as we have the opportunity to compete against the #4 team in the country in LSUS and Louisiana Christian."
