Salina, Kan – McPherson made the midweek trip up north to take on one of the top-rated teams in the United States, the Kansas Wesleyan University Coyotes. After dropping the weekend series to Sterling College three days prior, the Bulldogs would face a tough test against the Coyotes who hadn’t dropped a single game in the KCAC.
The Basics
Location: Dean Evans Stadium
Records: MC 4-11 (1-3 KCAC), KWU 12-2 (6-0 KCAC)
Score: MC 7, KWU 13
How it Happened
After a dominant showing against Saint Ambrose more than a week prior to this ballgame where he struck out 12 Bees, Daniel Norris got the start for the Bulldogs against the Coyotes. Norris would throw three innings for McPherson, allowing four runs off of eight hits and issuing three strikeouts.
Kansas Wesleyan began the ballgame with the opening four runs following two home runs and an early RBI double in the first inning. The next runs wouldn’t be found until the top of the fourth; this time in favor of the visitors. Colt Uphold’s solo home run out to right center was followed by Troy Stukenberg’s RBI single to cut the lead in half at 4-2.
The Coyotes were able to spread the margin with five unanswered runs over the next three innings. Fernando Ruvalcaba, Carter Allen, and Chris Finocchario all found home runs in Kansas Wesleyan’s run, as the run would be capped off with Coulson Riggs’ RBI single in the bottom of the seventh inning.
McPherson managed to find five more runs in the final two innings, but the Coyotes held on for the eventual 13-7 victory in their first meeting with the Bulldogs.
Troy Stukenberg led the way in the batter’s box for the Bulldogs after batting three runs in off of two hits. Ruvalcaba was a force not to be reckoned with for Kansas Wesleyan as California native finished the day 4-for-5 with five RBIs, crossing home plate three times himself.
Up Next
The Bulldogs will host Avila University this upcoming weekend for a three-game series. As of right now, first pitch of the series is set for February 28th at 12:00 PM at TC Construction Field, but be alert to a scheduling change with Sunday’s weather looking less-than-ideal for America’s pastime.
