BUHLER, Kan. – Buhler baseball braved the elements to open the 2023 season Thursday Night in Wheatland Park. The Crusaders battled from behind twice to defeat rival McPherson, 8-7. Jeremy Gentry sprinted home to score the winning run on a passed ball with one out in the bottom of the seventh.
McPherson ace Jaret Myers started on the bump and aided his own cause early. His single with two on in the top of the first inning made it 2-0 Bullpups.
Down 3-0 in the bottom of the third, Buhler strung together a trio of hits and a sac fly to answer back. Two of the Crusaders’ four runs in the inning scored on a one-out single by Bryant Voth.
McPherson tacked on three more runs in the fourth inning and one in the fifth to lead 7-4.
The Crusaders would rally again, this time in the bottom of the sixth. Dawsyn Valdois and Cash Carson each collected one-out hits to get things started. The pair finished the game 4-6 at the plate with three runs scored. Valdois scored on Carson’s line-drive double. Carson then scored on a two-base hit to left field by Mitchel McDaniel. Later in the inning, McDaniel was able to score on a dropped strike three, tying the game, 7-7.
After going 8-1 a year ago, Jeffrey Neill got the opening day call for Buhler, allowing six runs on nine hits over four innings of work. Voth worked three solid innings in relief, including a 1-2-3 top of the seventh, to earn the win.
With one out in the bottom of the seventh, Jemery Gentry found himself at third base following a single by Logan Brinar. With Valoids then back at the plate and a 1-1 count, a passed ball would ultimately decide the game. The pitch from Bullpup reliever Hunter Alvord made its way to the backstop allowing Gentry to charge home in walk-off fashion.
The two rivals will rematch on April 6 in McPherson. Buhler now has a week off before hosting Mulvane next Thursday.
McPherson 17, Buhler Softball 0 – Buhler couldn’t keep up with McPherson and fell 17-0. Morgan Carson and Faith Miller each tallied a hit in the loss.
McPherson collected 16 hits, including three each by Addison Champan and Reanna Elirch.
