e-mail
print
RSS
reprint
AIM
Digg it
del.icio.usCampus, Mac tie in AV-CTL II
BY JONATHAN LONG
The Wichita Eagle
MCPHERSON - Campus and McPherson came into Tuesday's baseball doubleheader with dreams of an Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail League Division II title and hosting a regional game.
Neither got exactly what it wanted.
The Colts and Bullpups split, giving both a share of the league title.
"I couldn't think of a better team to have to share the title with than McPherson," Campus coach Bryan Clasen said. "This was big. It keeps us in the hunt to host a region game."
After losing the opener 9-6, Campus (15-3, 8-2 AV-CTL II) won the second game 4-0. Jonathan Murray remained undefeated, stifling the Bullpups on a three-hitter. It was Murray's third straight shutout after earlier blanking Newton and Valley Center.
"I knew I had backup behind me and we were really ticked off by losing the first game," said Murray, who is 7-0.
Murray struck out nine and only faced trouble twice. One of those times, he allowed the first two batters to reach base before getting Sam Stucky to hit into a double play.
Campus took the lead in the top of the third inning on three singles, including one by Murray, which scored Jorden Johnson.
In game one, senior Josh Piper came to the rescue of his sophomore sibling, Joel Piper. Joel gave up five runs to Campus in the first two innings before Josh slammed the door. His dominance held the Colts at bay and allowed the Bullpups to rally.
Josh Piper, who is headed to Johnson County on a baseball scholarship, threw 5 1/3 innings in relief, giving up three hits and one run.
"My brother is a good pitcher, he just had a hard night. It felt good to come in and be able to save him," Josh Piper said.
Campus' David Ormiston struggled in the third, fourth, and fifth innings giving up three, five, and one run respectively. Levi Gerhardt's three-run homer in the fourth gave McPherson the lead for good.
"Looking back, I probably left (Ormiston) in too long. But he's been the best I've had for a couple of years and I have complete confidence in him," Clasen said.
The home run was Gerhardt's fifth of the year. It came after he was unable to get a sacrifice bunt down. With a full count, the junior got a low pitch and lifted it over the fence in left-center.
"That was a big relief," Gerhardt said. "It took a lot of pressure off of me."
McPherson 9, Campus 6
| Campus | 410 000 1 --6 12 2 |
| McPherson | 003 510 x -- 9 9 1 |
Campus 4, McPherson 0
| Campus | 003 010 0 --4 9 2 |
| Home | 000 000 0 -- 0 3 2 |
