SHREVEPORT, La. (MacBulldogs.com) – The Bulldogs have completed their first of two trips to the state of Louisiana as they found themselves on the wrong end of both their games against the LSU Shreveport Pilots on Saturday (Jan. 25).
Game One-No. 4 LSUS-11 McPherson-0
The Pilots jumped out in front quickly in the bottom of the first inning. A pair of bases loaded walks surrendered by Noah Thomas, who got the start on the mound for MC and was tagged with the loss for the game, did not surrender a hit but errors and walks gave LSU Shreveport easy runs and plenty of opportunities to get them. Thomas was only able to get into the second inning as after 58 pitches and the Pilots scoring another run to make it a 3-0 lead, the Bulldogs gave the ball to the bullpen for the rest of the contest. Matthew Vigil got the nod first and put in two full innings of work and only surrendered one run in the fourth inning.
Offense was sparse for the Bulldogs. The LSU Shreveport pitching staff had complete command of the contest as MC was only able to record three hits in the contest. The Bulldogs left just two runners on base, grounded into a pair of double plays, and combined for nine strikeouts. Jared Kramp, Peyton Starr, and Dawson Walters all went 1-3 on the day with Starr recording a double. The Pilots held MC scoreless in game one and secured an 11-0 victory.
Game Two- No. 4 LSUS-10 McPherson-3
It was another quick start for the Pilots as a pair of sacrifice flies in the bottom of the second and third innings and a wild pitch that also occurred in the third gave them a 3-0 lead. Thanks to a strong appearance from starting pitcher Daniel Norris, who recorded four strikeouts in his four innings of work, the Pilots offense was held in check come the top of the fifth inning.
In the top of the fifth, Jace Essig flipped the game on its head as he tattooed a ball deep into left field for a two run home run to make it a 3-2 game and put the Bulldogs right back into striking range. It did not take long for LSU Shreveport to remind everyone why they’re ranked as a top five team in the nation to start the season as a big sixth inning, highlighted by an inside the park two run home run, quickly made it an 8-2 game. Luke Nordean was able to collect an RBI thanks to a sacrifice fly, but the damage was done and LSU Shreveport secured the sweep with the final score being 10-3.
The Bulldogs return to the state of Kansas as they take on Doane University at 11 a.m. and then William Penn University at 1 p.m. in Salina on Friday, January 31st.
