(LEBANON, Ill., Feb. 18)—The McKendree College baseball team was defeated Sunday by Bethel College 9-6 in the Bearcats’ 2007 season opener in McKenzie, Tenn.

 

The Bearcats rallied from a 5-0 deficit after two innings but could not hold off the host Wildcats in the final two innings. McKendree, which is 0-1 on the year, will play at doubleheader at Bethel Monday beginning at noon.

 

In the third inning, McKendree began its comeback when senior first baseman Kevin Wilkins (Kinmundy, Ill./South Central) (Kinmundy, Ill./South Central) doubled and scored when junior outfielder Brandon Melliere (Red Bud, Ill./Red Bud) (Red Bud, Ill./Red Bud) hit into a fielder’s choice. The Bearcats added two more runs in the fourth as Wilkins collected a run-scoring single, and junior courtesy runner Mike Harrison (Bloomington, Ill./Bloomington) (Bloomington, Ill./Bloomington) scored on a fielder’s choice.

 

McKendree tied the game with a pair of runs in the sixth inning. Junior outfielder Anthony Clervi (Columbia, Mo./Rock Bridge) (Columbia, Mo./Rock Bridge) figured in both runs as he cut the deficit to 5-4 with an RBI single and scored the tying run on a base hit by sophomore infielder Brandon Holtmann (New Baden, Ill./Breese Central) (Albers, Ill./Breese Central).

 

Bethel regained the lead for good by scoring two runs in both the seventh and eighth innings for a 9-5 advantage. The Bearcats put together a final rally in the ninth inning as sophomore infielder Dusty Schallenberg (New Douglas, Ill./Highland) (New Douglas, Ill./Highland) delivered a pinch-hit single, and he scored when sophomore catcher Joe Dickman (Alhambra, Ill./Highland) (Highland, Ill./Highland) grounded into a fielder’s choice.

 

Wilkins and Melliere each had two hits on the day for McKendree as the Bearcats held a 10-7 advantage in hits against Bethel. The Wildcats are now 3-1-1 on the year.

 

Sophomore right-hander Cale Johnson (Greenville, Ill./Greenville) (Greenville, Ill./Greenville) drew the opening-day start for McKendree. In six innings, Johnson scattered seven hits with four earned runs, two walks and four strikeouts. Freshman left-hander Alex Young (Odin, IL/Odin) (Odin, Ill./Odin) was nicked for the loss in relief for the Bearcats.