(ST. CHARLES, Mo., Feb. 28)—The McKendree College baseball dropped a 4-1 decision Wednesday in non-conference action at Lindenwood University.

 

Playing its first game in more than a week, the Bearcats could muster just three hits off three different Lindenwood pitchers. McKendree drops to 1-3 on the year and will be on the road this weekend for four games in the Kansas City area. The Bearcats will be at Avila University on Saturday for a split doubleheader, facing host Avila at 10 a.m. before squaring off with Concordia University (Neb.) in a 1 p.m. contest. McKendree will wrap up its trip with a doubleheader Sunday at Baker University in Baldwin City, Kan. First pitch will be at 1 p.m.

 

At Lindenwood, McKendree scored its lone run of the contest in the first inning. With one out, senior outfielder Kellen Kettwich (O'Fallon, Ill./O'Fallon) (O’Fallon, Ill./O’Fallon) was hit by a pitch. He moved to second on a wild pitch and advanced to third on a single by sophomore catcher Craig Session (Centralia, Ill./Centralia) (Centralia, Ill./Centralia). Junior outfielder Brandon Melliere (Red Bud, Ill./Red Bud) then lifted a sacrifice fly to center field to score Kettwich.

 

The host Lions grabbed the lead with two runs in the third inning. Lindenwood then added insurance runs in the seventh and eighth innings to seal the victory.

 

Session finished with two hits in the contest. Lindenwood starting pitcher Eric Hullinger allowed two hits in seven innings of work with eight strikeouts. Two Lion relievers gave up just one hit in the final two innings to preserve the victory.

 

Senior right-hander Ryan Meyler (O'Fallon, Ill./O'Fallon) (O’Fallon, Ill./O’Fallon) was charged with the loss for McKendree, snapping a personal 10-game win streak that dated back to the start of the 2006 season. Meyler allowed two earned runs and seven hits over five innings with three strikeouts. Meyler drops to 1-1 on the season.