McPherson, Kan. – The Bulldogs were back at home for the first time in over a week to host the Bethany College Swedes. McPherson looked to turn around their four-game losing streak, while Bethany aimed to keep things rolling after going 3-1 in their last four games.
The Basics
Location: Bulldog Park
Records: MC 12-25 (KCAC 4-18), BC 15-22 (KCAC 9-11)
Game One: MC 2, BC 10
The bats started hot for the Swedes with Avery Newmiller launching a two-run homer to open Game One and set the tone right away. Bethany kept things rolling in the second, adding another run on an RBI single to jump out to a quick 3-0 lead.
McPherson answered in the third, with Mackenzie Birch coming around to score on a Samantha Hollingsworth single up the middle, trimming the deficit to 3-1.
The Swedes rebuilt their lead in the top of the fourth scoring three runs on four hits, and capitalizing on the Bulldogs’ fourth error of the game.
Victoria Thornton later added McPherson’s second run of the game, crossing the plate on a Justice Large single through the left side.
Bethany put things out of reach in the top of the seventh, highlighted by a three-run blast from Ulissa Rivas, sealing a 10-2 win for the Swedes.
Game Two: MC 9, BC 5
Game Two had a much different feel, with McPherson jumping in front early thanks to a two-RBI single from Maddie Ramirez in the second inning. Bethany claimed the lead the following inning after putting up five runs to build a 5-2 advantage. Hollingsworth added another run in the fifth for the Bulldogs, crossing the plate on a Layla Towner double to keep things rolling.
From there it was all McPherson who strung together five runs, including a four-run sixth inning. Savannah Robles got things started with an RBI single, followed by a clutch hit from Thornton that brought in two more. Emma Puebla capped off the inning with a sacrifice fly to give McPherson full control.
Neither side pushed across a run in the final frame, as the Bulldogs closed things out with a 9-5 win to split the day with the Swedes.
