McPHERSON, Kan. — Samantha Hollingsworth was excellent in game two of the KCAC-opening doubleheader, holding the Tabor College Bluejays to just one run as the Bulldogs picked up the split at Bulldog Park.
GAME ONE – Tabor 9, McPherson 1 (5 innings)
Neither team was able to generate any offense in the first two innings. The Bluejays got a leadoff double by Payten Staley in the top of the first, but followed that with a strikeout sandwiched around a pair of groundouts to the third baseman. In the next half inning, the Bulldogs matched with a baserunner of their own thanks to a single up the middle by Melaney Granados, but MC's offense was unable to bring her around.
The Bulldogs finally broke through in the third inning, after stranding three in the second, as Karisa Hernandez drew a leadoff walk before scoring on a sacrifice fly by Alivia Lange.
However, that would be all the offense the Bulldogs would have in the opener as MC's lead would be short-lived. Two walks and two hit batsmen, along with one error, helped the Bluejays explode for seven runs in the top of the fourth inning. Tabor also had three hits, and stranded two in the frame.
From there, the Bulldogs were held to just one hit over the final two innings, while the Bluejays tacked on two more in the top of the fifth to pick up the run-rule victory.
Granados led the Bulldogs with two hits.
GAME TWO – McPherson 3, Tabor 1
The nightcap started similar to the first game as Hollingsworth was dealing early, retiring the first five batters she faced. However, the Bulldog were also held off the scoreboard until the bottom of the fourth inning.
Hollingsworth pitched a gem to pick up the win, throwing seven innings with a season-high five strikeouts, while allowing just four hits and no earned runs. Hollingsworth was also great at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double.
MC broke the scoreless tie when Hollingsworth singled to right-center field moving Savannah Robles to third. Hollingsworth was picked off at first, but Robles scored on the play to put MC on top 1-0. But the Bulldogs weren't done yet in the fourth as Sidney Larrew doubled before scoring on a passed ball.
The Bulldogs continued to capitalize on Bluejay mistakes in the bottom of the fifth, when Layla Towner reached on an error by the third baseman, scoring pinch runner Makenzi Smithee.
Tabor tried to make things interesting in the seventh, getting a leadoff double by Reese Hefley before scoring on a single up the middle by Kailey Cross. But Hollingsworth locked in from there, striking out the next batter before a fielder's choice and a groundout gave the Bulldogs the 3-1 win.
The Bulldogs remain at Bulldog Park on Saturday (Mar. 15) perennial conference power Ottawa University. First pitch is slated for 1:00 p.m.
