McPHERSON, Kan. (MacBulldogs.com) — The McPherson College Bulldogs matched their longest winning streak of the season Tuesday (Mar. 5) with a 7-5 win over the Southwestern Christian University Eagles at Bulldog Park.
MC struck first in the bottom of the first inning, after Kevinn Castillo tripled. An RBI single by Andres Artola put the Bulldogs on top 1-0.
The Eagles evened the score in the next half inning then loaded the bases before a sacrifice fly by Draike Sparks put SCU on top 2-1.
In the bottom of the second, the Bulldogs leveled the score once again, after pinch-runner Evan Morrison scored on an error by the catcher.
That run sparked four unanswered runs by MC, three coming in the fourth inning to make it a 5-2 Bulldog lead. Luke Nordean led off the inning with a double to right field, then Ivan Gomez walked. Castillo loaded the bases after getting hit by the pitch, then in the next at-bat, Artola singled to right center to drive in a pair of runs.
Castillo showed off the wheels once again, to steal third base, then later scored on an RBI single by Colin Evers to close out the three-run inning.
The Eagles began to chip away at the lead in the next half inning, adding one run, but the Bulldogs pushed their lead to 7-3 in the seventh. Hayden Fostersingled to centerfield, bringing Dawson Walters around to score, before Foster scored himself thanks to a wild pitch.
SCU threatened once again trimming the lead to 7-5 in the top of the eighth, then had a pair of runners on base in the top of the ninth, but a ground out to third base by Braden Browning ended the game.
Artola, Evers, and Nordean each finished with two hits apiece, while Artola drove in three runs. Castillo finished 1-for-2 with two runs scored.
Ethan Alexander made the start on the mound for the Bulldogs and threw four inning, while allowing just two runs on four hits. Sam Palecki pitched two solid innings, allowing just two hits and one run to pick up the win.
The Bulldogs will take their three-game winning streak on the road this weekend as they travel to Salina, Kan. to take on Kansas Wesleyan University.
