McPHERSON, Kan. – The McPherson High School Varsity Baseball team took on tough competition over the week, competing in their first two quads of the season. The Bullpups split on both days, going 2-2 on the week. During Friday’s quad, MHS senior Brody Seidl broke the school record for the most stolen bases in a season.
TUESDAY, APRIL 22
vs. Rose Hill: W 13-0 (5 inn.)
McPherson started off strong with a 13-0 win over Rose Hill to start the week. The game was a rematch of last season’s Regional Finals, which saw Rose Hill take down McPherson 3-1. This time around, the Bullpups were able to capitalize on base, reaching on 10 hits and eight walks. McPherson also stole seven bases.
Three runs in the opening frame set the tone, but they kicked the door down in the 2nd inning with seven runs to put them up 10-0 early. This came with the aforementioned walks and with six out of their 10 hits going for extra bases, including Carter Allen hitting two doubles and Brock Richardson hitting a home run. Allen and Brenden Doile had two hits and five different Bullpups had multiple RBI’s.
Allen threw the first four innings of the game, allowing just two hits and striking out five Rockets. The strong start earned him his fourth win on the mound in as many starts this season. Isaac Barnett got the final three outs in the 5th in his first mound appearance on the season.
vs. Great Bend: L 15-0 (4 inn.)
Even though the bats were hot in the Rose Hill game, they grew ice cold against the Great Bend Panthers. The 5A juggernaut set the tone early as the very first pitch thrown to them turned into a double. McPherson’s pitching staff were hit around when throwing in the zone. When changing their game plan and throwing outside of the zone, the Panthers capitalized. They ended with nine hits and eight walks. The Panthers led 8-0 after three innings, but slammed the door with a seven-run 4th to win 15-0.
The Bullpups struggled offensively against Northeast Texas Community College commit Carson Umphres, who threw 3.2 innings and striking out five. Umphres also went 3-3 offensively with 3 RBI’s. McPherson ended with just two hits, one walk, and reached on one error.
McPherson was also hit with the injury bug against Great Bend. Sophomore Carter Bengtson suffered a shoulder injury on his non-throwing arm after a collision at first base following a pick-off play in which he was called out. He left after the first inning and was out for the remainder of the game. Bengtson was out for Friday’s quad as well, but head coach Heath Gerstner said there was no cause for concern and he plans to return in a week. Senior Isaac Barnett also dealt with cramps while pitching in the 4th inning and had to be taken out, but he was able to return Friday.
FRIDAY, APRIL 25
vs. El Dorado: W 8-2
McPherson’s first game of Friday’s quad against El Dorado was all Bullpups from the start. Much like the game against Rose Hill, the Bullpups reached multiple times thanks to timely hitting and drawing free passes. The Bullpups scored five runs in the first inning and led 6-0 after two. El Dorado fought back valiantly in the 4th and 5th innings, but McPherson would pull away with the 8-2 victory.
Logan Beede pitched the full game, allowing just seven hits and striking out four. Brody Seidl, Ian Razak, Cade Strathman, and Cru Buchman had a multi-hit game. Buchman made his first varsity start as the young sophomore joined the lineup due to McPherson’s injury troubles. He hit 2-3 and had a team-high 3 RBI’s on the contest. The team had 12 hits, drew three walks, and drew three more passes as Isaac Barnett was hit by three pitches in the game.
vs. Rock Creek: L 1-0
McPherson vs. Rock Creek featured multiple storylines: a pitcher’s duel, teams that combine for four state titles in the last four seasons, and two head coaches who combine for five state titles in the past decade.
The defending 4A champion Rock Creek Mustangs pitched two college-committed pitchers, allowing just five Bullpup hits and striking out seven. McPherson’s Ian Razak threw the full game, allowing just two hits and striking out 10 Mustangs. The lone difference maker was an unearned run in the second inning following an error and multiple bunts.
Trailing 1-0, McPherson had a chance to tie the game. Cru Buchman continued his incredible day in his first start with a one-out double in right-center field, putting the tying run in scoring position. However, McPherson flew out twice afterwards to finish with the 1-0 loss.
During the Rock Creek game, senior Center Fielder Brody Seidl stole his 32nd base of the season, breaking the school record which was previously set by Hunter Alvord in 2023. While Alvord’s record occurred in the former 20-game regular season format on a state title team, Seidl broke the feat in 18 games. The milestone marked the second historic mark Seidl made in as many weeks. Seidl stole six bases in the second game of the doubleheader at Mulvane Thursday, April 17, which tied a state record. His name is now immortalized on the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame website until the record is broken. His name is listed with the other two players who accomplished the same feat: Blaine Birdwell of Wichita-Life Prep Academy in 2011 and Porter Deters of Mission Valley in 2023.
McPherson is now 15-3 on the season. They will travel to Wichita to face Wichita Collegiate School Monday, April 28. Game one of the doubleheader will be at 3:00 p.m. Coverage of the doubleheader will begin at 2:45 p.m. on 98.9/1540 KMCP, adastraradio.com, and the Ad Astra Radio mobile app.
