JOPLIN, Mo. – The Kansas Wesleyan Baseball team is one step closer to a KCAC Championship as the Coyotes used an eight-run rally in the fifth inning to rout the McPherson Bulldogs on Friday at Joe Becker Stadium.
 
Playing as the visitor, the Coyotes opened taking the lead on Carter Allen's single that scored Alex Garcia who was running for Tyler Favretto who walked.
 
McPherson came back with two in the bottom of the first.
 
The Coyotes tied it in the second when Coulson Riggs led off with a double and then scored on a wild pitch.
 
McPherson took the lead in the bottom of the inning, but in the third the Coyotes would take the lead for good. Fernando Ruvalcaba led off with a single and later Joe Finder walked and Blake Dale was hit to load the bases. Riggs then reached on a fielder's choice and throwing error which allowed two runs to score giving the Coyotes the lead.
 
The Coyotes extended the advantage in the fourth as Favretto led off with a single and then Garcia scored on Garrett Garfield's double. Allen and Finder walked to load the bases and two batters later Riggs walked to bring in a run.
 
The fifth inning was when the Coyotes blew it open. Williamson walked, Favretto singled and Garfield connected on a 2-run single. Ruvalcaba doubled and Allen singled to bring in a run. Allen singled one in. Ruvalcaba scored on a wild pitch, Finder hit a 2-run homer, Riggs drove in a run with a single and then scored on a wild pitch.
 
Ruvalcaba homered in the sixth to extend the lead.
 
McPherson scored one in the seventh but it wasn't enough to keep the game going.
 
Favretto and Ruvalcaba had three hits each and three others had two hits.
 
Nathan Righi went the distance, allowing four runs on seven hits while striking out 11.
 
The Coyotes will play tomorrow for the bracket championship at 3:30 against the winner between McPherson and Friends. There would then possibly be an "if necessary" game on Sunday before the KCAC Tournament Championship on Sunday afternoon.