McPherson, Kan. – The Bulldogs were at home on Wednesday for a doubleheader against the Morningside University Mustangs. McPherson headed into the day looking to bounce back after dropping their previous doubleheader to Hastings, while the Mustangs aimed to improve to six wins on the season.
The Basics
Location: Bulldog Park
Records: MC 3-5, MU 6-2
Game One: MC 11, MU 18
Morningside struck first in Game One of the doubleheaders, plating a run in the top of the second before capitalizing on a Bulldogs defensive miscommunication and a double, adding two more in the third. McPherson answered in the bottom of the inning as Sydney Larrew launched a grand slam to swing the momentum, and Savannah Robles followed with an RBI single that scored Victoria Thornton. The Mustangs managed to limit the damage, however, retiring the side with the bases loaded.
The lead changed hands again in the fourth as Morningside pushed across three runs to regain a 6-5 advantage, bringing their hit total to seven. McPherson recorded the final two outs with the bases loaded to keep the deficit to just one. Samantha Hollingsworth evened the score soon after, sending a solo shot over the fence in left-center to tie the game at 6-6.
Inning five proved to be the difference as Morningside delivered a five-run inning. The visitors erupted for five runs, opening the frame with a double to left-center before adding two more on a single up the middle. Three more singles stretched the lead to 11-6, capping a seven-hit inning. The Bulldogs responded with a run in the bottom half, but the Mustangs tacked on two more in the sixth to widen the gap.
Facing a double-digit deficit after Morningside added five runs in the seventh, McPherson looked for one last rally. Larrew delivered again, blasting her second home run of the game, a three-run shot, but the comeback fell short as the Mustangs recorded the final out to secure an 18-11 victory.
Game Two: MC 4, MU 1
Game Two of the doubleheader featured a much stronger defensive battle, with just five combined runs crossing the plate. Morningside once again struck first, using their first home run of the day in the top of the third to take an early 2-0 lead.
McPherson responded in the bottom of the fourth when Samantha Hollingsworth drove a ball to the warning track in left for an extra-base hit, bringing Thornton home and cutting the deficit to one.
Both teams were held scoreless in the fifth, but the Mustangs created some separation in the sixth with an RBI single to the right side. They added an insurance run in the seventh on another single to right, extending the lead to 4-1. The Bulldogs were unable to generate a late rally, as Morningside closed out the game to secure the win.
Up Next
McPherson will be back at Bulldog Park on Friday to host the Southwestern Christian University Eagles for two games. First pitch for Game One of the doubleheader is set for 1:00 PM.
