SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
McPHERSON, Kan. — A five-run first inning powered the McPherson Bullpups to a 9-2 victory over Mulvane in a Class 4A regional championship game Tuesday, securing a spot in the state tournament.
McPherson advances to the Class 4A state tournament, scheduled for May 29-30 at Salina South High School. The Bullpups will be the No. 1 seed in the state tournament, as they're the lone unbeaten team in Class 4A.
The Bullpups jumped out early as Addie Herrera delivered an RBI single, and Rylie Whitfield, Kynedi Huggard, Ashlyn Schroeder and Addison Chapman each drew bases-loaded walks to give McPherson a 5-0 lead.
Chapman added an RBI groundout in the third inning, and Carmin Pavlovich crushed a two-run home run to center in the fourth to extend the Bullpups’ lead.
Chapman earned the complete-game win in the circle, allowing four hits and two runs over seven innings, while striking out six and walking five.
McPherson collected 11 hits. Herrera, Huggard, Haely Hagemann and Pavlovich each recorded two hits, while Chapman and Schroeder drove in two runs apiece. The Bullpups walked 10 times, including three by Chapman.
Regan Witt led Mulvane at the plate, going 2-for-4. Gracyn Crow and Bailey Hall each recorded an RBI. Blake Ferraro drew three of Mulvane’s five walks.
Mulvane starter Sophie Bruce was tagged with the loss after allowing five runs on one hit and seven walks in two-thirds of an inning.
The Bullpups defeated Clay Center, 14-4, in the regional semifinal.
McPHERSON, Kan. — Carter Bengtson went 3-for-3 at the plate to lead McPherson to a 6-0 shutout of Buhler in Tuesday’s Class 4A regional championship baseball game, sending the Bullpups back to the state tournament after missing out last season.
McPherson advances to the Class 4A state tournament, set for May 29-30 at Dean Evans Stadium in Salina.
Bengtson doubled in the second inning, singled in the fourth and added another base hit in the fifth as part of McPherson’s seven-hit effort. The Bullpups took the lead in the second when Brenden Doile hit into a fielder’s choice that scored a run.
Ian Razak earned the win on the mound, tossing 5 2/3 scoreless innings. He allowed just three hits, struck out seven and walked three. Carter Allen closed out the final 1 1/3 innings in relief, allowing no hits and one walk.
Brody Seidl added two hits for McPherson.
Jacob Miller accounted for all three of Buhler’s hits, going 3-for-3 at the plate. Brayden Henry took the loss for the Crusaders, allowing six runs, three earned, while striking out six over six innings with no walks.