KCAC, GPAC series begins 2020 spring schedule

The McPherson University of Kansas picked third on the 2020 Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference preseason coaches poll, used a three-run fourth inning rally in game one and a nine-run outburst in the nightcap to sweep past Morningside College 5-2 and 11-8 Sunday, Feb. 16.

Head coach Adam Boeve's Mustangs, dipping to 4-4, forged two ties in the opener, as junior Carter Kratz (JR/Vermillion, SD) (Vermillion, S.D.) launched a sacrifice fly in the third that brought home fellow Class of 2021 member Reece Blay (JR/ Council Bluffs, IA) (Council Bluffs, Iowa) and Blay brought in junior Adam Carlson (JR/Baldwin City, KS) (Baldwin City, Kan.) with a run-scoring single in the fourth. McPherson's three-run fourth made it 5-2 which was enough for home starter Dylan Marble and relief pitcher Jarrod Manick to work with as they set down the Maroon in order in the fifth and sixth and stranded two in the seventh.

Game two saw another Mside comeback tie things at 2-2 in the third with two tallies crossing due to an infield error. The host Bulldogs answered with three in their half and built a 7-2 edge which Boeve's bunch couldn't equal despite two-run rallies in the fourth and fifth. Carlson turned in two hits, one of which was a double, and two RBI, while senior Derrick Johnson (SR/Golden Valley, MN) (Golden Valley, Minn.) bashed a home run and drove in two, and junior Jordan Pierce (JR/Carlisle, IA ) (Carlisle, Iowa) also accounted for two runs batted in.

In regards to pitching in the season's lid-lifting doubleheader, sophomore Colby Seuntjens (SO/Danbury, IA) (Danbury, Iowa) and junior Camden Parks (JR/Omaha, NE) (Omaha, Neb.) combined for six strikeouts in game one.

The series with McPherson continues Monday, Feb. 17, with a twin bill set for a 12 p.m. start at MC's Bulldog Park.