By Grant Barrett, Ad Astra Radio
MANHATTAN, Kan – On Tuesday, the McPherson High Softball team traveled for a triangular, where they opened with a 16-4 win against Great Bend before falling to Manhattan 6-2.
In Game 1 against Great Bend, the Pups opened the top of the first with a 7-run inning, and that was all Addie Herrera needed in the circle. She had five strikeouts without allowing a walk in the 5-inning game. The defense was just as solid behind Herrera, playing error-free softball.
“Overall we had a good night,” said Head Coach Danica Fitzmorris crediting Herrera’s toughness in the circle going all five innings.
At the plate, the Pups collected 15 hits as a team and were led by Kelcy Bergstrom, who was 3 for 3 with 3 RBIs. Addison Chapman, Olivia Cheatham and Sayge Salmans all added two RBIs in the 16-4 win.
Game 2 was a pitcher’s duel between McPherson’s Addison Chapman and Manhattan’s Kierra Goos. The game was scoreless after two innings before the Indians would bring a run home in the bottom of the third, and added two more in the fourth which came unearned.
Goos made it difficult for the Bullpups at the plate, going the distance while striking out 14. Coach Fitzmorris said, “We had our opportunities to score and could not adjust at the plate against the speed of Goos.”
McPherson would get within one after scoring two runs in the top of the fifth inning, but Manhattan would answer in the bottom of the inning with a run. The Indians would bring in two more runs in the bottom of the sixth to give the Pups their first loss of the season, falling 6-2.
The Bullpups move to 2-1 on the season, and they will prepare for their home opener on Thursday, as they’ll host the Circle Thunderbirds at Grant Complex. The first pitch is set for 4 p.m.
Game 1 Batting
A. Chapman 2-5, 2 RBIs
Al. Romero 1-4, RBI
H. Hagemann 2-3, BB, 2R
K. Alvord 1-3, BB 3R
R. EIlrich 1-3, BB 2R
O. Cheatham 1-4, 2 RBIs, 2R
K. Bergstrom 3-3, 3 RBIs, BB, 2R
S. Salmans 3-4, 2 RBIs 3R
C. Clevenger 1-4, 2R
Pitching:
A. Herrera 5.0 IP 6H 4R 4 ER 0 BB 5 SO
Game 2 Batting
A. Chapman 0-4, RBI
C. Clevenger 0-3
H. Hagemann 0-3
K. Alvord 0-3
C. Pavlovich 1-3, R
K. Bergstrom 2-3, R
R. Eilrich 1-3
O. Cheatham 0-2
S. Salmans 0-0, RBI, BB
Al. Romero 0-3
Pitching:
A. Chapman 6.0 IP 7H 6R 4ER 4BB 9 SO
