Photo by Jean St. Fleur

McPherson, Kan.  – The Central Christian College baseball team finally got to play their first home series of the season on Monday and Tuesday against the Dakota State University Trojans. The games were originally scheduled for Friday and Saturday, but the fickle spring weather in Kansas postponed the games until Monday.

The Tigers dropped three of four to the Trojans, with the only win coming in a hard fought battle in game two on Monday night. The key statistic for the series was the number of runners left on base by the Tigers. In the four games, the Tigers stranded a grand total of 31 runners, many of those in scoring position.

Game 1, L 15-1

It was a tough opening game for the Tigers. They couldn't get anything going from the plate, while the Trojans feasted on Tiger pitching.

Hitting: The Tigers scored one run on five hits. One of the five hits went for extra bases, a double by Carlos Gusman.

Pitching: Five different pitchers saw action in the opener. Brandon Vegas got the start, but with conference games starting next weekend, he only worked the first two innings so he would be available on Friday. He was collared with the loss, allowing two runs on two hits with five strikeouts and one walk. The four other pitchers combined to give up the other 13 runs, on 13 hits, four strikeouts, and seven walks.

Leaders

Game 1

Hits:                                    Five Tigers (1)

Doubles:                             Carlos Gusman (1)

Triples:                                none

Homeruns:                        none

RBI:                                      Joseph Gusman (1)

Stolen Bases:                    none

Strikeouts Pitching:        Brandon Vegas (5)

Put Outs:                            Jayden Leonhardt (9)

Assists:                                Three Tigers (1)

Game 2, W, 2-1

The Tigers bounced back in game two, and found a way to grind out a win in extra innings, walking it off in the bottom of the 8^th inning, on a single by Joseph Gusman. The Tigers got on the board first in the second inning, on an RBI single from Tim Escamilla, who was in the lineup for the first time this season, coming back from an injury. The Trojans tied the game on a homerun in the top of the 4^th.

The Tigers had chances to go ahead in the 6^th and the 7^th innings, but couldn't find a way to push across the winning run. They finally capitalized, when Gusman came through in the bottom of the 8^th.

Hitting: The Tigers managed scored their two runs on six hits, all of them singles.

Pitching: Michael Pelosi got the start in game two, but like Vegas, saw limited action so he could still be available next weekend for the SAC opener. He pitched five innings allowing the one run on
seven hits with six strikeouts and no walks. Colt Gniech came out of the pen and pitched lights out. He worked three scoreless and hitless innings, picking up his first win of the season.

Leaders

Game 2

Hits:                                    Tim Escamilla (2)

Doubles:                             none

Triples:                                none

Homeruns:                        none

RBI:                                      Tim Escamilla, Joseph Gusman (1)

Stolen Bases:                    Sam Chavez (1)

Strikeouts Pitching:        Michael Pelosi (6)

Put Outs:                            Chris Esacamilla (10)

Assists:                               Colt Gniech (2)

Game 3, L, 12-3

Day two was not very kind to the Tigers. The Tigers were swept in Tuesday's double header, getting out-scored by the Trojans 28 to 12.

Hitting: In game one on Tuesday, the Tigers scored their three runs on five hits, all of the singles.

Pitching: Levi Atherton was the game one starter. He was shackled with the loss allowing two runs on one hit, with one strikeout and three walks. Armando Aguilar, Daniel Scott, and Nick Clayson all saw action out of the pen. The three combined to give up 10 runs on 12 hits with three strikeouts and four walks.

Leaders

Game 3

Hits:                                    Five Tigers (1)

Doubles:                             none

Triples:                                none

Homeruns:                        none

RBI:                                      Sam Chavez, Joseph Gusman (1)

Stolen Bases:                    Carlos Perez, Joseph Gusman (1)

Strikeouts Pitching:        Nick Clayson (2)

Put Outs:                            Cam Whittle (9)

Assists:                               Sam Chavez (4)

Game 4, L, 16-9

The Tigers' offense found life in the final game, but unfortunately the Trojan offense kept up their production as well resulting in a 16-9 loss for the Tigers.  

Hitting: The Tigers scored nine runs on seven hits, and got some help from the Trojan pitchers, who walked in two of the Tiger runs. Six of the seven Tiger hits were singles, the seventh was a homerun by Joseph Gusman.

Pitching: The Tigers sent out seven different pitchers in the series finale, starting with Tristan Castner. He had a rough first inning, allowing five runs, but then settled down in the next two innings. He finished with seven runs on nine hits with two strikeouts and one walk.

Leaders

Game 4

Hits:                                    Tim Escamilla (2)

Doubles:                             none

Triples:                                none

Homeruns:                        Joseph Gusman (1)

RBI:                                      Joseph Gusman (3)

Stolen Bases:                    none

Strikeouts Pitching:        Tristan Castner, Elliot Castorena (2)

Put Outs:                            Alejandro Pina (6)

Assists:                                Carlos Perez (3)

Next Up: As mentioned earlier, the Tigers will open Sooner Athletic Conference play on Friday, travelling to Goodwell, Oklahoma for a three game series with the OPSU Aggies. First pitch is set for 12:00 pm. The teams will play a double header on Friday then a single 9 inning game on Saturday.