McPHERSON, Kan. — The McPherson College Bulldogs picked up the doubleheader sweep Saturday (Mar. 4), beating the Southwestern College Moundbuilders 9-4 and 7-0 at Bulldog Park.
The Bulldogs put up a five-spot in the first inning to gain control early. Gage Ninness led things off with a single, then back-to-back walks by Caleb Feuerstake and Antonio Fernandez loaded the bases.
James Canar put the Bulldogs up with a single to right field, then Hunter Robinson doubled down the right field line to make it a 3-0 McPherson lead.
Kevinn Castillo tripled in the fifth, bringing Andres Artola around to score, then a double by Feuerstake in the eighth drove in a pair of runs to make it a 9-2 Bulldog lead.
The Moundbuilders made things interesting by plating two runs in the top of the ninth, but the Bulldogs turned a timely double play before a flyout to center field sealed the victory.
Blake Maddock got the call on the hill for the Bulldogs and picked up his first win of the season by striking out four batters while allowing just two runs in six innings of work.
In the nightcap, Tyler Norris made his first home start since May 1, 2021, and what a start it was, allowing just three hits in five shutout innings while striking out eight batters.
The Bulldogs plated a run in the first inning and another in the bottom of the third, then Castillo launched a three-run shot over the left field wall to blow the game wide open.
An RBI Single by Artola pushed the lead to 6-0 in the sixth, then pinch runner Ky'rell Taylor scored on a wild pitch to conclude the scoring.
The Bulldogs finished with nine hits in game two, led by Fernandez with three hits.
"Good starts today from Maddock and Norris," co-interim head coach Andrew Pratt said. "The first inning in game one along with the Castillo home run in game two were high points on the day. Overall good complimentary baseball. We hope to come out and build off the momentum tomorrow."
The Bulldogs wrap up the three-game set against Southwestern Sunday (Mar. 5) with first pitch slated for 1 p.m.
