STERLING, Kan. — The McPherson College Bulldogs held a one-run lead heading into the bottom of the seventh of game one, but fell 2-1, then dropped game two 14-2 at Sterling College Tuesday afternoon (Mar. 25).
GAME ONE – Sterling 2, McPherson 1 (8 innings)
Runs came at a premium in the opener, as both pitchers were dealing early and often. Samantha Hollingsworth threw 7.2 innings, allowing just six hits with three strikeouts. On the other side, MacKenzie Viehland was excellent for the Warriors, fanning eight batters, while holding the Bulldogs to just two hits.
Hollingsworth allowed just two hits through the first six innings to keep the Warriors off the board.
Andrea Solis doubled in the top of the first inning, but that would be all that MC muster, as Viehland struck out one in the second, two in the third, and two in the fourth to keep it 0-0.
MC finally broke through in the top of the sixth when Karisa Hernandez reached via an error by the Warriors' shortstop. Hernandez would advance on a grounder by Granados before scoring thanks to an RBI double by Solis.
However, down to their last out with a runner on third, the Warriors knotted the score after back-to-back singles by Mallory Seidel and Aiyana Campos. Hollingsworth limited the damage by striking out Phoebe Waller.
The Bulldogs had a chance in the top of the eighth but stranded the go-ahead runner at third. SC finished it off with an RBI single by Mariah Cunningham.
GAME TWO – Sterling 14, McPherson 2 (5 innings)
The Warriors carried that momentum into the second half of the doubleheader, putting up a staggering 10 runs on nine hits in the bottom of the first inning.
MC tallied one run in the third and one in the fifth, thanks to a pair of RBI singles by Madison Jarvis. Hernandez and Mackenzie Birch each finished with one double in the nightcap.
Sterling finished game two with 17 hits, drew four walks, and stole a trio of bases.
UP NEXT
The Bulldogs return home for the first time in nearly two weeks, hosting Southwestern College at Bulldog Park Saturday (Mar. 29) for Senior Day. First pitch is slated for 1:00 p.m. with Senior Day festivities coming after game two.
