McPHERSON, Kan. – McPherson High School Baseball is getting hot at the right time, currently carrying a four-game win streak into Senior Night after defeating Junction City in walk-off fashion 3-2 and Salina-South 8-2 behind three home runs Friday, May 3 in their final quad of the 2024 season.
vs. Junction City: W 3-2
A pitching duel starting off the day, with MHS’ Carter Allen getting the start and Junction City starting their ace, keeping both teams’ bats quiet. The Bullpups did start the scoring in the 2nd inning, thanks to a triple by Isaac Barnett and an RBI groundout by Cowen Huggard. McPherson then tacked on another one in the 3rd after hits by Brody Seidl and Carter Bengtson, putting the Bullpups up 2-0.
The Blue Jays fired back in the 4th, making the score 2-1, then both offenses stayed quiet until the 7th. Junction City tied the game in the 7th following a leadoff double, a walk and an RBI groundout, making the score 2-2. The Bullpups didn’t falter though, starting the bottom of the 7th strong after back to back walks. Brock Richardson then came in for a sacrifice bunt, but the Blue Jays pitcher threw a wild throw in the relay to first base, sailing the ball into the outfield. Brody Seidl trotted home to give the Bullpups the 3-2 win.
Stat Leaders:
- Pitching:
- Carter Allen: 6.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
- Owen Fetsch: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K (Win)
- Batting:
- Carter Bengtson: 2-3, RBI
- Isaac Barnett: 2-2, 3B
- Cowen Huggard: 1-3, RBI
- Brody Seidl: 1-3, 2 R
vs. Salina-South: W 8-2
Ian Razak started on the mound for McPherson, but had a sluggish first inning allowing a leadoff walk, hitting back-to-back batters, and allowing a bases-loaded single to make it 1-0 just 10 pitches into the game. A groundout double play made it 2-0 Salina-South in the top of the 1st inning, but that would be the last time the Cougars crossed the plate.
Down 2-0, the Bullpups struck back quickly, following a leadoff walk from Brody Seidl and a 2-run home run by Brock Richardson, tying the game 2-2. Richardson came back up to lead off the bottom of the 3rd and hit another home run to make it 3-2 McPherson.
Cade Strathman followed up, hitting his second home run of the season in the first pitch of the 4th inning, putting the Pups up 4-2. Four hits-by-pitch in the 4th tacked on another, giving McPherson a 5-2 lead. McPherson tacked on more insurance runs in the 5th and 6th, giving the Bullpups an 8-2 win.
Stat Leaders:
- Pitching:
- Ian Razak: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K (Win)
- Owen Fetsch: 1.0 IP. 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
- Batting:
- Brock Richardson: 3-3, 2 HR, 3 RBI
- Cade Strathman: 2-2, HR, RBI
- Brody Seidl: 1-1, BB, RBI, R
- Jase Fitzmorris: 1-4, RBI
The Bullpups are now 17-7 on the season and are in 5th place in the 4A West Regional standings, with the possibility of finishing 4th and hosting Regionals alive and well.
McPherson is scheduled to face Andale in a doubleheader at home to end the regular season on Senior Night Monday, May 6 at 4 p.m., however a risk of severe weather could alter plans. Stick with Ad Astra Radio for any updates on local severe weather coverage and schedule changes.
