YORK, Neb. — The McPherson College Bulldogs offense exploded for nine runs in the opener but fell in game two to split with the York University Panthers Tuesday afternoon (Mar. 18) in York, Neb.
GAME ONE – McPherson 9, York 1
MC wasted no time putting runs on the board, scoring four in the top of the first to take control early. Melaney Granados got the inning going with an RBI single through the right side to bring in Savannah Robles then, Karisa Hernandez added one more to the board, scoring on a wild pitch.
The Bulldogs benefitted from a YU error to bring in the third run of the game before an RBI single by Sidney Larrew pushed across the final run of the frame.
Granados added one more to the Bulldogs tally, putting one in play to score Robles again in the top of the second.
That would be all MC would get until the top of the fourth when they added four more to take a 9-0 lead. Another wild pitch, brought in Robles for the third time, who reached via a single through the right side. Back-to-back doubles by Alexandrea Garcia and Larrew pushed the lead to 9-0, with the latter driving in Garcia and Layla Towner.
The Panthers would add one in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI single of their own.
Robles and Larrew each finished with three hits to lead the Bulldogs, while Larrew drove in a team-high three runs. Garcia and Granados each finished with two RBIs apiece.
Samantha Hollingsworth was outstanding in the circle, allowing just one run on five hits, while striking out three.
GAME TWO – York 4, McPherson 2
The nightcap was the exact opposite of the opener, with the Panthers grabbing an early 3-0 advantage in the bottom of the first after a trio of RBI singles.
MC was held to just one hit, which came in the top of the first inning when Hernandez singled up the middle.
However, the Bulldogs were able to generate base runners, stranding two in the second before loading the bases in the seventh. The Bulldogs scored both of their runs via the walk with the bases loaded.
The Bulldogs remain on the road Saturday (Mar. 22) when they travel to Leavenworth, to take on the University of Saint Mary. First pitch is slated for 2:00m p.m.
