AUGUSTA, Kan. – McPherson High School Baseball traveled to Augusta to open AVCTL-3 play on Thursday, March 26, winning game one 9-0, but falling in game two 13-7.
GAME 1 BOX SCORE | GAME 2 BOX SCORE
McPherson’s offense started red hot in the first inning of game one. The Bullpups hit through their lineup, seeing 10 of their first 11 reach base, scoring six runs in the inning.
The offense didn’t see as much action following the first, but the pitching staff had a terrific outing with a combined two-hitter, and they were able to add insurance with one run in the 4th and two in the 7th to win 9-0.
Cowen Huggard started on the mound, striking out nine batters in five innings. Adrian Unruh closed off the game with two strikeouts in as many innings. Carter Bengtson hit 3-4 with two singles and a triple. Brady Rinker drove home three runs, going 1-3 with a double.
Game two saw more offense for Augusta. McPherson drew four walks in the first inning, driving home a run on a sacrifice fly. However, Augusta answered back in the bottom of the first frame, opening with a single and a hit-by-pitch. Two well-placed bunts scored three runs to put the Orioles ahead 3-1.
Innings 2-4 were scoreless, but Augusta stormed back with five straight hits to lead off the 4th, scoring four runs to lead 7-1. After adding a run in the 5th, McPherson tried to mount the comeback, putting up three runs in the 6th after two hits and three walks.
The bottom of the sixth inning saw a lot of offense, as Augusta added some insurance runs, falling just short of forcing the run-rule win to lead 13-4. Augusta committed three errors in the top of the 7th, seeing McPherson score three runs, but Augusta ended up getting the final out of the game to win 13-7.
McPherson falls to 3-1 on the season, 1-1 in AVCTL-3 play. They will host Winfield for their home-opening doubleheader on Monday, March 30, at the Grant Sports Complex in McPherson.
