MCPHERSON, KAN.- Southwestern College salvaged a doubleheader split against Central Christian College on Tuesday, bouncing back from a 7-0 shutout loss in the opener with a 5-3 victory in Game 2 at McPherson.

In the nightcap, the Moundbuilders (6-8) used a pair of key scoring innings and a strong pitching performance from starter E. Willesden to secure the win. Willesden (1-2) went four innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits while striking out one. M. Shaw closed the door with three innings of relief, surrendering one run on three hits with three strikeouts.

Southwestern jumped ahead with two runs in the second inning, highlighted by a wild pitch that plated K. Viegra and a groundout RBI from F. Howard. After Central Christian (2-14) cut the deficit to 2-1 in the bottom half, the Moundbuilders added an insurance run in the third when R. Wright scored on an error.

A. Vaccaro doubled and later scored to tie the game in the fourth, but Southwestern responded in the sixth. F. Campbell delivered a clutch two-run single to put the Moundbuilders back in front, and Shaw shut down the Tigers in the final frame to secure the win.

Wright finished 2-for-4 with a run scored, while Campbell had a 2-for-4 effort with three RBIs. Central Christian was led by C. Frick, who went 3-for-4 with a run scored, and Vaccaro, who added two hits and two stolen bases.

In the opener, M. Griffin dominated for the Tigers, tossing a two-hit shutout with six strikeouts to lead Central Christian to a 7-0 victory. The Tigers plated five runs in the first inning, capitalizing on an error and a two-run single from C. Hirtler. F. Campbell (1-2) took the loss for Southwestern, allowing seven runs (three earned) over six innings.

Southwestern will look to build on the series split when it returns to action later this week.