GREAT BEND, Kan. (MacBulldogs.com) — The McPherson College Bulldogs’ run in the KCAC Tournament came up just short Sunday (May 5), falling in a hard-fought battle to the Kansas Wesleyan University Coyotes 3-2 in Great Bend, Kan.
The Bulldogs were held to just three hits, and were 1-for-16 with runners on base. Evan Morrison, Hayden Foster, and Kevinn Castillo each finished with one hit apiece.
Kansas Wesleyan took a 2-0 lead after identical RBI singles up the middle by Alex Garcia in the second and the fourth innings, both bringing Jalen Jones around to score.
Morrison leveled the score in the top of the fifth with his third homer of the season, a two-run shot to left field that brought Ky’rell Taylor in to score.
MC loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh after a single by Castillo and walks by Morrison and Hayden Foster, but Andres Artola fouled out to the first baseman, ending the inning.
The Coyotes had an identical inning, loading the bases, but Adrian Villalobos drew a two-out walk bringing in what proved to be the winning run.
MC had their opportunity in the top of the ninth when Castillo reached on an error by the Coyotes’ shortstop, but an outstanding catch in left field by Garcia robbed Jace Essig of his first hit of the contest, then Kainoa Torres grounded into a double play.
Hayden Casey drew the start and threw two innings, allowing three hits and one run while striking out a pair. Noah Carpenter came on in relief and struck out seven batters, while allowing two runs in 4.2 innings of work.
In his first season at the helm, Chris Dawson and the Bulldogs finished with a 25-28 record and a 19-17 mark in KCAC play. MC finished fifth in the KCAC standings and were just two wins away from the NAIA tournament.
