WINFIELD, Kan. (MacBulldogs.com) — After dropping game one on Friday (Apr. 5), the Bulldogs rallied to sweep the doubleheader against the Southwestern College Moundbuilders on Saturday (Apr. 6) in Winfield, Kan.
GAME ONE – Southwestern 9, McPherson 2
The Bulldogs grabbed an early lead in game one when Dawson Walters drove in Hayden Foster with a double down the left field line, but from there the Moundbuilders scored nine unanswered runs.
A pair of RBI hits by Zach Boone and Logan Gage made it a 2-1 Southwestern lead after the first inning, then an RBI single by Skyler Espinoza pushed the lead to 3-1. The Builders added five in the sixth and one more in the seventh to take a 9-1 advantage.
The Bulldogs threatened in the top of the ninth, opening the final frame with three straight singles, the last by Andres Artola driving in Evan Morrison. But from there, the Bulldogs were retired in order to close out the game.
MC finished with eight hits, but had just two runs to show for it. Foster and Kainoa Torres led the way with two hits each for the Bulldogs.
Jameson Caro got the start in game one, throwing 5.2 innings with five strikeouts allowing seven runs, three of which were earned.
GAME TWO – McPherson 5, Southwestern 1
The Moundbuilders grabbed the early lead in game two, scoring one run in the bottom of the second.
That score would hold until the seventh inning when Jace Essig stole third before scoring on a throwing error by the catcher. Then Morrison singled through the right side, driving in Luke Nordean and giving the Bulldogs a lead they would never relinquish.
An RBI single to centerfield by Colin Evers pushed the lead to 3-1 after the eighth inning, then a pair of sacrifice flies in the ninth by Foster and Artola gave the Bulldogs the 5-1 win.
Morrison finished 4-for-5 at the plate with an RBI and a run scored to lead the Bulldogs. No other Bulldogs finished with more than one hit.
Hayden Casey made the start for the Bulldogs and struck out seven batters, while allowing five hits. Noah Carpenter came on in relief and threw 3.1 innings with four strikeouts and just one hit allowed.
GAME THREE – McPherson 13, Southwestern 10
Looking for their fifth series win of the season, the Bulldogs mounted a six-run lead after the first four innings to grab control.
Evers got things going in the second with an RBI single through the left side, bringing JT Edmunds around to score, then Artola drove in Morrison with a single to left center in the third inning.
MC added four more in the fourth, thanks to a pair of RBI doubles by Evers and Foster.
The Builders cut the lead in half in the fourth, then added three more in the fifth to level the score 6-6.
Much like the opener of the doubleheader, Essig stole second before scoring on a throwing error in the sixth to once again give the Bulldogs a lead. That run sparked a six-run sixth inning.
Foster grounded out the first baseman, allowing Koen Gakstatter to score, then Artola singled through the left side, driving in Morrison. Kael Markham kept the inning going, scoring on a wild pitch, then a single up the middle by Torres capped off the big inning, scoring two more, and putting the Bulldogs on top 12-6.
MC added one more in the seventh on an RBI single up the middle by Peyton Starr.
The Builders made things interesting late though, scoring four in the bottom of the seventh, including a three-run homer by Boone, but Dylan Hampton came on for the final out.
Evers led the way with three hits and two RBIs, while Torres added two RBIs. Foster paced the Bulldogs with three RBIs.
Ethan Alexander made the start for the Bulldogs and threw five innings, but allowed five runs on five hits.
The Bulldogs remain on the road this weekend, traveling to Bartlesville, Okla. to take on Oklahoma Wesleyan. Game one is scheduled for Friday (Apr. 12) with the first pitch coming at 3:00 p.m.
