LONG BALLS AND PATIENT AT-BATS PROPELL BASEBALL TO HIGH-SCORING WIN AT MCPHERSON

MCPHERSON, Kan. – Twelve walks, five Eagles scoring multiple runs and four with three or more RBI helped Avila baseball to a 15-7 win at McPherson on Friday afternoon.

Avila scored 10 runs in the first three innings with production from up and down the lineup.

Power would begin the day for Avila as Ricky Dober opened the scoring with a two-run home run in the top of the first. Two batters later, Will Clark put together a solid at bat culminating in an RBI single to give Avila a quick 3-0 lead.

The second inning began just like the first – with Tyler King getting on base. Two batters later, a similar sight occurred: another two-run shot, this time off the bat of Landon Vahle. Two innings, two King runs scored off a pair of two-run home runs.

In the third, Avila put up another big inning to inflate the score.

The bases were loaded with one out when Luke Ruhl drew a walk to bring in Will Clark, increasing Avila's lead to six.

The very next batter – King – emptied the bases with a three-run double. As he was accustomed to do this game, King came around to score two batters later when Vahle singled to bring the score to 10-0.

Through three innings, King had a trio of runs scored and three RBI.

McPherson made a comeback attempt in the third and fourth innings, scoring seven runs. From there, Avila's bullpen would hold the Bulldogs scoreless, while the Eagle offense continued to produce.

Dober was responsible for single runs in the fifth and eighth – with his eight-inning feat coming on a solo home run. The home run was Dober's second of the day and sixth of the season.

The seventh inning saw three more Avila runs cross the plate from a pair of Eagles who continued to excel.

Following a Jack Virden walk, Will Clark scored two with a home run. After Clark cleared the bases, four-consecutive Eagles walked, finishing with a run-scoring walk and fourth RBI of the day from King.

Avila wrapped the game up with a 15-7 victory. While the offense was the story of the day, reigning KCAC Pitcher of the Week Aidan Johnson came out of the bullpen to help the Eagles again, holding McPherson at bay, tossing five scoreless innings and allowing just three hits.

A number of quality performances from all over the lineup brought Avila to victory, including a three-run, four-RBI day from King.

Additionally, Vahle (three), Dober (four) and Clark (three) had multi-RBI days. 

The two teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday with first pitch scheduled for 12 PM.

 (photo credit: Albert Guerrero)