Baseball Opens Season with Win Over McPherson

Baseball opened the season on Saturday morning with a trip to Salina, Kansas. The Tigers started the day by taking on McPherson. Doane led throughout but needed a late defensive gem to post a 5-4 victory over the Bulldogs.

Doane's first three runs of the game came in the 2nd inning courtesy of the long ball. Carter Roth picked up a one-out single and Aaron Vulcano followed with a two-run home run. Sam Kwapnioski gave the Tigers back-to-back blast as he hit a solo home run. 

Doane added a run in the 5th inning as Roth singled to drive in Dane Kelsey. The Bulldogs cut into the lead with a two-run home run in the 6th inning. The Tigers were able to get a run back in the bottom of the inning as Justin Nevells singled to plate Kwapnioski.

In the 7th inning, McPherson sent seven batters to the plate. The Bulldogs scored two runs on walks with the bases loaded. With one out, Nevells took away a potential go-ahead hit with a slide to pick the ball hit up the middle, flip to second base for an out, and Kelsey relayed a throw to first for a game-ending double play.

Kaden Crawford started on the hill for the Tigers and went 5.1 innings, allowing two runs on four hits and four walks with six strikeouts. Ethan Merk threw 0.2 innings, allowing two runs on one hit and two walks. Nicolas Yard picked up the final three outs, allowing one hit and two walks.

Doane finished with eight hits in the game, led by Roth with two hits, a run scored, and a run driven in. Vucano finished with two RBI and a run scored. Kwapnioski posted two runs scored and an RBI.

The Tigers will play No. 12 Kansas Wesleyan in their next game on Saturday afternoon.