By Grant Barrett, Ad Astra Radio
McPHERSON, Kan. – The windy elements at Grant Sports Complex were once again on full display Thursday, as the Bullpup Baseball team was able sweep the Winfield Vikings to remain undefeated at home this season, moving to 6-2 on the season.
Winfield came into Thursday winless on the season, but early on they were patient at the plate, scoring an unearned run in the first, before a two-out bases-clearing double gave the Vikings a 6-3 lead, part of a five-run second inning.
The Pups would respond by batting-around in the bottom of the inning, and doubled up the Vikings for a 10-run inning to lead 13-6. From that point on, McPherson never looked back. Gavin Richardson and Jaytin Gumm were perfect at the plate, combining for seven hits. Hunter Alvord lined two doubles going 2 for 4, joining Richardson and Gumm to lead Game 1, with 3 RBI’s a piece in the 21-6 win.
McPherson Head Coach Heath Gerstner talked about his team’s patience at the plate following the doubleheader, saying, “When the wind’s blowing 30 miles per hour, our high school varsity hitters would love to hit one over to the other field, but for the most part, we stayed with our good approach of staying in the middle of the field.”
In Game 2, Hunter Alvord and Gavin Richardson led two hits, but with Winfield playing their third and fourth games of the week, their pitching was ailing, giving up 10 free passes to the Bullpups.
“I thought for the most part they played each pitch the best they could.” said Gersnterner, who noted, “One thing I’m big on is not pumping the brakes, we stayed aggressive on the basepaths, and stayed aggressive at the plate.”
Jaytin Gumm would get the start on the mound for McPherson, striking out four batters, without allowing a walk in two innings of work, as the Pups made quick work of Winfield in Game 2, winning 16-1.
“I think the strength of our team is our pitching, hitting is going to come and go.” said Gerstner, who concluded by saying, “We’ve got a lot of pitching depth and the key to that, is to getting those guys on the mound on a consistent basis, and making sure they have that feel each and every week.”
The Bullpups move to 6-2 on the season, and they’ll prepare to host a quad on Tuesday at Grant Complex, which features; Emporia, Great Bend, and Rose Hill. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.
Game 1: McPherson 21, Winfield 6
Batting:
J. Gumm 3-3, 3 RBIs
H. Alvord 2-4, 3 RBIs, BB, 2R
C. Wedel 0-1, 2R, BB, 2HBP
T. Haines 0-1, RBI, 2R, 3HBP
G. Richardson 4-4, 3 RBIs 2R
B. Richardson 2-3, RBI, BB, 2R
J. Myers 3-4, RBI, 3R
C. Allen 0-3, BB, RBI
B. Burgess 2-4, 2 RBIs, BB, HPB, 3R
H. Backhus 1-1, HBP
Pitching:
I. Razak 3.0 IP 7H 6R 5ER 0BB, 5K
G. Richardson 1.0 IP 1H 0R 0ER 0BB 2K
Game 2: McPherson 16, Winfield 1
Batting:
J. Gumm 0-2, 2BB
H. Alvord 2-4, 3R
T. Haines 0-3, RBI, BB
G. Richardson 2-3, 2 RBIs, BB, 3R
B. Richardson 0-1, 2HBP, 2R
C. Wedel 1-1, 2R, 3RBIs BB, HBP
J. Myers 1-2, BB, R
C. Allen 0-2, R, RBI, HBP
O. Fetsch 1-3, RBI
Pitching:
J. Gumm 2.0 IP 2H 0R 0ER 0BB 4K
B. Richardson 1.0 IP 1H 0R 0ER 0BB 0K
G. Richardson 1.0 IP 2H 1R 1ER 2BB 1K
