HESSTON, Kan. — Southwestern College erupted for a nine-run eighth inning to pull away from Hesston College in a 15-3 nonconference victory Thursday in Hesston, Kansas.
The Moundbuilders (17 hits) broke open a competitive game late, turning a 6-3 lead into a rout with an offensive surge fueled by timely hitting and Hesston miscues.
Southwestern struck first in the opening inning when Sam Benz doubled, stole third and scored on a sacrifice fly by Raisean Dorsey. Hesston answered in the second, but the Moundbuilders regained the lead in the third on another Dorsey sacrifice fly to make it 2-1.
The Moundbuilders added two runs in the fourth behind RBI hits from Logan Larson and Preston Carrillo, extending the lead to 4-1. Hesston responded with a two-run fourth inning to trim the deficit to 4-3, but Southwestern answered with single runs in the fifth and seventh to maintain control at 6-3.
The game turned decisively in the eighth inning. Southwestern capitalized on three Hesston errors and strung together six hits, highlighted by a three-run double from Dorsey and a two-run double from Carrillo as part of the nine-run frame.
Dorsey led the Moundbuilders offensively with five RBIs, while Carrillo added four RBIs and three hits. Benz finished with three hits and scored twice, and Larson contributed three runs and two RBIs.
On the mound, Jaden Hensley earned the win as part of a six-pitcher effort that limited Hesston to three runs on 10 hits while striking out five.
Southwestern returns to action Tuesday, April 21, for a home doubleheader against Randall University. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Broadway Sports Complex.
