LATE RALLY NOT ENOUGH TO COME BACK IN GAME ONE; SWEDES SPLIT WITH BULLDOGS

McPherson, Kan. - The Swedes fought back late in game one after falling down by seven runs in the fifth inning. However the Swedes fell short in a 7-5 defeat to the Bulldogs. Bethany answered back in game two with a 4-1 victory against McPherson. 

Game 1

The Swedes fell behind early in the loss giving up a pair of runs to the Bulldogs in the first and second inning. McPherson got their offense started when Egan singled on a 2-1 count and scored a run. In the second inning a triple by New and a single by Weaver would push runs across the plate, making the score 4-0 after two complete innings. 

The bulldogs tacked on a run in the bottom of the fourth when Weaver hit an infield single and scored Alvarado. The Bulldogs made a few key defensive plays, keeping the Swedes from reaching base. 

The fifth inning rolled around and the Swedes were unable to push runners across the plate, leaving base runners stranded. McPherson kept the momentum going and scored an additional two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Alvarado hit a single to center field, scoring Egan and Quintana on two outs, making the score 7-0. 

The Swedes took the shut out away in the top of the sixth inning with a four run rally. Marissa Riley grounded out to the right side, scoring Melinda Cratty, 7-1. Kierstyn McMillen then hit a 2 RBI single to center field, scoring Abigail Nitzel and Destiny Espinosa, 7-3. McMillen advanced to second base on an error and was soon scored by Amaris Guerra who doubled to left field, making the score 7-4. 

Swedes kept the momentum rolling into the top of the seventh and pushed another run when Melinda Cratty hit a double over center field and scored on an infield error, 7-5. The Swedes were unable to score the tying run that was on first base and dropped game one 7-5. 

Sasha Martello threw 4 innings giving up 8 hits, 3 earned runs, 2 walks and collected 2 strikeouts. Cambree Aguirre came in to throw 1 inning, giving up 1 hit, 2 earned runs, 3 walks and collected 1 strikeouts. Jordan Stelzig threw the last inning of the game, giving up 1 hit, 0 earned runs, 0 walks and struck out 2. 

Destiny Espinosa went 3-for-4 at the plate with one run. Melinda Cratty went 2-for-4 at the plate with 2 runs. Amaris Guerra went 2-for-4 at the plate with an RBI. Kierstyn McMillen went 1-for-4 at the plate with an RBI, and 1 run. The Swedes tallied 11 hits in game one. 

Game 2 

The Swedes scored a pair of runs in the 3rd inning when Kierstyn McMillen reached base on a walk and scored from a double hit by Amaris Guerra. Lilliana Martinez then doubled to center field, trading places with Guerra, making the score 2-0. 

The Swedes scored again in the top of the 4th inning when Callissa Lucero scored on an infield error, making the score 3-0. The Bulldogs reached base for the first time from a walk in the bottom of the 4th inning. The runner was stranded on first base after 3 fly outs ended the inning. 

The Swedes pushed another run across the plate in the top of the 6th inning when Katherine Range reached base on a single to left field. Lucero entered as a pinch runner for Range and put herself in scoring position by stealing second base. Destiny Espinosa then singled to right field, scoring Lucero, 4-0. McPherson broke the no hitter and shut out when Garcia went deep to left field, making the score 4-1. 

Lilliana Martinez got the win for the Swedes. The junior from Brawley, California allowed 1 hit and 1 run over 7 evenings. Martinez struck out 7 and walked 1. 

Kat Range, Amaris Guerra, Lilliana Martinez, Destiny Espinosa and Myranda Jimenez each had a hit to collect the 5 hits of the game. Kierstyn McMillen and Callissa Lucero each had 2 stolen bases. 

Up next…

Swede softball will travel to Avila University on Wednesday, April 5th. Game one is scheduled to start at 2:00 PM against the Eagles.

#RockarStockar