WINFIELD, KAN. – On Friday and Saturday, the Southwestern College Baseball squad hosted play to the visiting Bulldogs of McPherson College at Broadway Sports Complex in Winfield, Kan. The Builders showed a great performance on Friday night as they earned the win for game one. On Saturday, the Builders had to take defeat in both games against the Bulldogs.
 
GAME 1 | Friday 5:00 PM

In a matchup between McPherson College and Southwestern College, it was Southwestern who emerged victorious with a final score of 9-2.
The game kicked off with a tight start as both teams showcased their offensive prowess early on. McPherson College struck first in the opening inning, with D. Walters doubling down the left field line to bring in H. Foster, giving them a 1-0 lead. However, Southwestern quickly responded with Z. Boone's double to left field, bringing in L. Penland to tie the game at 1-1. Shortly after, L. Gage's single to right field brought Boone home, giving Southwestern a 2-1 lead at the end of the first inning.

As the game progressed, Southwestern began to widen the gap. In the fourth inning, S. Espinoza's single to shortstop brought in L. Dincola, extending Southwestern's lead to 3-1. In the sixth inning, Southwestern capitalized on errors, with L. Penland reaching base on a throwing error, allowing two unearned runs to score. T. Seboldt and C. Camacho added to the lead with RBI singles, making it 8-1 in favor of Southwestern.

The seventh inning saw Southwestern adding another run courtesy of W. Johannsen's single to right field, bringing the score to 9-1. McPherson College managed to muster a late rally in the ninth inning, with A. Artola's single to left field bringing in E. Morrison, but it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit.

With a final score of 9-2, Southwestern College showcased a dominant performance both offensively and defensively, securing the win over McPherson College.

GAME 2 | Saturday 2:00 PM

The game began with both teams showcasing solid defensive efforts, keeping the score tied at 0-0 until the second inning. Southwestern struck first when S. Espinoza grounded out to third base, allowing L. Dincola to score an unearned run, putting Southwestern up 1-0.

However, McPherson College fought back, with their offense coming alive in the latter part of the game. In the seventh inning, J. Essig's steal of third base forced a throwing error by the catcher, resulting in a run for McPherson, tying the game at 1-1. E. Morrison's single through the right side brought in L. Nordean, giving McPherson a 2-1 lead.

McPherson continued to pile on the pressure in the later innings. In the eighth inning, C. Evers's single to center field drove in J. Edmunds, extending McPherson's lead to 3-1. In the ninth inning, H. Foster's sacrifice fly brought in K. Taylor, followed by A. Artola's sacrifice fly, which allowed Morrison to score, sealing McPherson's victory with a final score of 5-1.
 
GAME 3 | Saturday 5:15 PM

McPherson came out swinging early, taking a commanding lead with a series of hits. In the second inning, C. Evers singled through the left side, bringing in J. Edmunds for the first run of the game. They extended their lead in the third inning when A. Artola singled to left center, allowing E. Morrison to score.

The fourth inning saw McPherson continue their offensive onslaught. C. Evers doubled to left field, bringing in K. Taylor. E. Morrison's fielder's choice and H. Foster's double to left center added three more runs, putting McPherson ahead 6-0.

Southwestern fought back in the bottom of the fourth, with C. Camacho and J. Horn contributing RBI singles, cutting McPherson's lead to 6-3. They continued their rally in the fifth inning, tying the game at 6-6 with C. Camacho's double and a fielding error.

McPherson regained the lead in the sixth inning with a series of runs fueled by steals, errors, and timely hitting. Despite Southwestern's efforts to close the gap, McPherson's offense remained relentless. P. Starr's RBI single in the seventh inning provided an insurance run, giving McPherson a 13-6 lead.

Southwestern mounted a late comeback attempt in the bottom of the seventh, highlighted by Z. Boone's three-run homer and T. Abitia's RBI double, but it wasn't enough to overcome McPherson's lead.

In the end, McPherson College's offensive firepower propelled them to victory in a thrilling contest against Southwestern College, with a final score of 13-10.
 
The Builders will be back on Tuesday, April 9^th at 1:00 p.m. when they host play to the Eagles of Avila University at Broadway Sports Complex in Winfield, Kan.