By Grant Barrett, Ad Astra Radio
McPHERSON, Kan. – The McPherson High Softball team tested themselves against 5A and 6A opponents on Tuesday, as they played host to Liberal and Maize for a triangular at Grant Sports Complex.
In Game 1, the Pups would open with four runs in the bottom of the first against Liberal, who was harmed by three errors in the game. Addie Herrera would get the start in the circle for the Bullpups, allowing just one run through four innings, before pitching out of a jam in the 5th. She finished with five strikeouts, giving up one free pass. Three runs would cross the plate for Liberal in the fifth, but the Pups would cling to a 5-4 lead.
After a scoreless 6th inning, Liberal would tie the game with a ground-rule double in the top of the seventh, setting up a dramatic scene for freshman Josie Fitzmorris. With the bases empty, Fitzmorris would walk it off for the Bullpups in the bottom of the inning with a solo homerun to defeat Liberal 6-5.
“We put together three pitching performances in the early game to get the win.” said Head Coach Danica Fitzmorris, “Our intensity was not quite what we needed it to be this game, but we picked up our mood to see some life in the night cap.”
In Game 2, the Pups were able to get off to another great start, and left little doubt against the Maize Eagles, taking a 5-0 lead after scoring three runs in the second inning as Sayge Salmans would leave the yard. She was 2 for 3 with 3 RBI’s, while Cora Pavlovich highlighted a 4-run fourth-inning with a 3-run homerun.
McPherson would get another strong performance from Addison Chapman, who completed the game striking out 13 batters, allowing just one-run in the 9-1 win.
In addition to Tuesday’s wins, the Pups move to 7-1 overall, and extend their winning-streak to five games. They will have a quick turnaround, returning to league-action Thursday, when they host Winfield for a doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m.
Game 1: McPherson 6 Liberal 5
Batting:
A. Chapman 2-4, 2R
K. Bergstrom 3-4, R
K. Alvord 1-4, RBI
H. Hagemann 2-4, RBI, R
S. Salmans 2-2, RBI
J. Fitzmorris 1-2, HR, RBI, R
R. Eilrich 0-3
O. Cheatham 1-3
C. Clevenger 0-3
A. Romero 0-2, BB
Pitching:
A. Herrera 5.0 IP 7H 4R 4ER 1BB 5SO
A. Romero 1.0 IP 1H 1R 1ER 0BB 1SO
A. Chapman 1.0 IP 1H 0R 0ER 0BB 2SO
Game 2: McPherson 9 Maize 1
Batting:
A. Chapman 2-3, BB, 2R
K. Bergstrom 2-3, 2RBIs
S. Salmans 2-3, HR 3 RBIs, BB, 2R
H. Hagemann 1-3, RBI, BB, R
K. Alvord 2-4
C. Pavlovich 2-4, HR, 3RBIs, R
R. Eilrich 0-3
A. Romero 1-2
C. Clevenger 1-3, R
Pitching:
A. Chapman 7.0 IP 4H 1R 1ER 7BB 13SO
