VALLEY CENTER, Kan. – The McPherson High School Softball team suffered two one-run losses at Valley Center in their season opener on Monday, March 23.
GAME 1 BOX SCORE | GAME 2 BOX SCORE
The Bullpups fell in walk-off fashion in game one, 6-5. The star of the show for Valley Center was shortstop Avery Davison, who went 4-4, hit for the cycle, and drove home all six runs for the Hornets. Rylie Whitfield led McPherson in game one, going 2-4 with a home run, a double, and 2 RBI’s. Ava Mendoza hit a two-run double as well.
McPherson trailed 3-0 in the first, before tying the game in the 4th inning. The Hornets answered back with two in the 5th before Whitfield hit a clutch two-run homer in the 7th to tie the game at 5. However, Valley Center answered back, putting two on base before Davison hit an RBI single to win the game for the Hornets, 6-5.
Game two ended in a 6-5 win for Valley Center, but it did not need a walk-off to end. Carmin Pavlovich led McPherson, going 3-4 with two doubles. Pavlovich also pitched, striking out eight batters in six innings, but gave up 18 hits. Whitfield drove home two runs. Everlee Buchman and Annalis Gross had an RBI as well.
Davison led Valley Center again, going 4-5 with two RBI. Abreya Perry and Kinsley Johnston each went 4-4 for the Hornets. Elena Alvarez pitched all seven innings for Valley Center, hitting 3-4 as well.
McPherson will open AVCTL-3 play on Thursday, March 26, at Augusta.
