MCPHERSON, Kan. – The York University softball team split a doubleheader at McPherson College, falling 9-1 in the opener before snagging a 4-3 win in the nightcap.
The Panthers are now 4-18 overall and 2-4 in KCAC action.
Down 3-0 in the second inning,
Sofia Perez led off with a single to center field. However, she was out after a base knock to
Sariah Ayala.
Trailing 6-0 in the third frame,
Nevaeh Reed drew a lead-off walk, but was erased when
Katie Taylor reached on a fielder's choice. With two down,
Kennedie Anderson ripped a base knock to the outfield, pushing
Paige Chapman to second base.
Breanna Underwood's single drove in Chapman, making it 6-1.
McPherson scored three runs in the bottom of the frame for a 9-1 advantage. York tried to get things going in the fifth. Chapman reached on a fielder's choice. Anderson's base hit allowed Chapman to take second with one down. However, back-to-back strikeouts ended the inning.
For the game, Chapman led the way with two hits. Underwood tallied a hit and one RBI. Ayala,
Carla Martinez and Perez all had hits. Chapman scored the team's lone run.
In the circle,
Bailey Hardey got the start and worked two innings. She gave up six runs, five of which were earned, on six hits. Hardey struck out three and walked one.
Kaitlyn Roe came in for the next two innings. She gave up three runs on two hits with a walk. Only one of the runs she allowed was earned.
Game two saw the Panthers take a 1-0 lead in the second stanza.
Tricia Trice singled and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. A groundout pushed her to third base. Taylor rocketed a base knock, driving in Trice.
York added to the lead in the third frame. Underwood walked with one down and moved to third after a passed ball and an error. Perez drove her in with a single for a 2-0 advantage.
In the third, Taylor reached on a fielder's choice. After moving to second on a groundout, Anderson blasted a hit, plating Taylor.
Leading 3-1 in the top of the seventh, Underwood reached on an error and hustled to third. Perez registered a base hit, driving in Underwood for a three-run margin.
The Bulldogs scored two runs in the bottom of the inning and had runners on second and third, but
Malia Alvarez shut down the home team with a groundout to end the contest.
For the game, Trice led the way with three hits. Anderson and Perez notched two hits apiece. Perez drove in two while Underwood scored twice.
In the circle, Hardey worked 6.1 innings to get the victory. She had eight strikeouts in the win. Alvarez tossed 16 pitches to get the save.
The Panthers return to action Saturday when they travel to Evangel, due to weather, for a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at Yorkpanthers.com.
