CHICKASHA, Okla. — Antonio Fernandez hit for the cycle in game one to help power the McPherson College Bulldogs to a huge comeback victory Saturday (Feb. 25) over the No. 19-ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO) Drovers in Chickasha, Okla. The Drovers won game two of the doubleheader 4-1.
"That guy is pretty good, huh?" co-interim head coach Pete Horner said about Fernandez.
The Bulldogs held an early 2-1 lead after two innings, but the Drovers score two in the third, then put up six more in the fourth to take a commanding lead.
That's when the Bulldogs went into full comeback mode.
Hayden Foster got things going with a lead-off double to left field, then Gage Ninness moved him to third with a single to center field. Fernandez followed that with the toughest leg of the cycle, clearing the bases with a triple to left field.
"Antonio Fernandez has been off to an unbelievable start to the year, and today he put on a clinic at the plate," co-interim head coach Andrew Pratt said. "Hitting for the cycle is an incredible feat, and it was fun to watch him do so today. Looking forward to watching him continue to be a key contributor for us moving forward."
But the Bulldogs weren't done yet in the three-run fifth inning when Hunter Robinson drove in pinch-runner Ky'rell Taylor with a double of his own.
Zach Reynolds came on from the bullpen and threw two scoreless innings to help keep the Bulldogs' comeback hopes alive.
Another three-run inning by the Bulldogs pulled them within 9-8, including an RBI single by Caleb Feuerstake and a double by Fernandez that scored a pair of runs.
Then an RBI single by Foster in the top of the seventh sent the game into extra innings.
The Bulldogs kept their hot bats going in the eighth, putting five runs on the board, including another RBI double by Fernandez and an RBI triple by Robinson.
Matt Whitney finished it off to secure his first career win while striking out four batters in 2.1 scoreless innings.
Fernandez finished game one 5-for-6 at the dish while driving in six runs. Robinson had three hits and was a home run shy of also hitting for the cycle.
In the nightcap, the Drovers scored two runs in the first inning, then added one more in the fifth.
The Bulldogs put one on the board when Andres Artola reached on an error, bringing Taylor home.
Tyler Norris got the call on the mound for the Bulldogs in game two and threw four innings while striking out a trio of batters.
"Really good win for our team in game one, to show again our ability to fight from behind and win," Pratt said. "We have a great opportunity to go win a series tomorrow."
The Bulldogs close out the four-game set in Chickasha with another doubleheader against USAO. They open KCAC play on Tuesday (Feb. 28) in Hillsboro, Kan., taking on Tabor.
