By Grant Barrett, Ad Astra Radio
McPHERSON, Kan. – The McPherson High Softball team returned to Grant Complex on Tuesday, as they hosted a quad, where they opened with a win against Louisburg, before falling to Derby.
After the Wildcats would get on the board with an unearned run in the first, Haley Hagemann’s homerun in the bottom of the inning highlighted a 7-run first-inning, giving McPherson a 7-1 lead.
The Pups would answer Louisburg’s run in the second, and in the third, RBI singles from Alex Romero and Kelcy Bergstrom would be followed by a 2-run homerun from Cora Pavlovich, giving the Bullpups a 14-2 lead.
The teams would alternate runs in the final innings for a five inning run-rule score of 16-6, giving Addie Herrera the win for the Bullpups in the circle.
In Game 2, McPherson would face 6A powerhouse Derby, and after yielding two runs in the first, Addison Chapman would settle in to pitch the next three innings scoreless. Coach Fitzmorris credited her performance in the circle following the game after not allowing any walks.
Chapman would have a two-hit game at the plate, and was joined by Sayge Salmans and Reanna Eilrich. Although the Bullpups collected nine hits in the game, they couldn’t come up with timely hits until the 6th inning. Following the game Coach Fitzmorris noted that Derby posted 9 runs with two outs, “We have got to find a way to finish the inning.” she said.
“I was really happy we did not stop hitting,” said Fitzmorris, as four runs crossed the plate in the 6th inning, before the Panthers would answer for four of their own in the top of the seventh to win 11-4.
“I knew this game would be tough to win, but I had faith in our hitting.” said Coach Fitzmorris, who mentioned a few undesirable plays that held the team back in the first few innings.
The Bullpups will have the rest of the week off, before traveling to Augusta on Monday, for a doubleheader against the Orioles. First pitch is set for 4:30 p.m.
Game 1: McPherson 16, Louisburg 6
Batting:
A. Chapman 0-3, 3 RBIs, 2R
K. Bergstrom 2-3, RBI, 2R
J. Fitzmorris 1-1
H. Hagemann 2-3 2RBIs, 2R
S. Salmans 0-1
C. Pavlovich 1-2, 2RBI, HR, R
K. Alvord 0-1, 2BB,
R. Eilrich 1-3, R
O. Cheatham 1-1, 2R
B. Doile 1-1, R
Al. Romero 2-3, RBI, 2R
C. Clevenger 0-1
Av. Romero 1-2, RBI, 2R
Pitching:
A. Herrera 4.2 IP 11H 6R 5ER 1BB 3SO
A. Chapman .1 IP 0H 0R 0ER 0BB 0SO
Game 2: McPherson 4, Derby 11
Batting:
A. Chapman 2-4, R
K. Bergstrom 1-4, R
H. Hagemann 0-4
S. Salmans 2-4, RBI, R
A. Barrow
K. ALvord 1-3, RBI, R
C. Pavlovich 0-3
R. Eilrich 2-3, 2RBIs
Al. Romero 0-2
C. Clevenger 1-3
Pitching:
A. Chapman 7.0 IP 17H 11R 4ER 0BB 2SO
