(CARLINVILLE, Ill., MARCH 20)- McKendree College (10-11-1) kept its offense rolling Tuesday afternoon, by frustrating opposing pitchers with 18 hits in a 14-4 win against Blackburn College (3-8).

 

After a scoreless first inning, the Bearcats struck first when leftfielder Mike Harrison (Bloomington, Ill./Bloomington) (Bloomington, Ill./Bloomington) singled to score designated hitter Kevin Wilkins (Kinmundy, Ill./South Central) (Kinmundy, Ill./South Central), making the score 1-0, only for the Beavers to counter in the bottom of the inning, to knot the score at 1-1.

 

The Bearcats came back in the second inning, starting with an RBI single by rightfielder Kenny Weston (Dupo, Ill./Dupo) (Dupo, Ill./Dupo) that brought centerfielder Brandon Melliere (Red Bud, Ill./Red Bud) (Red Bud, Ill./Red Bud) across the plate, followed by Wilkins drawing a bases loaded walk to bring home catcher Joe Dickman (Alhambra, Ill./Highland) (Alhambra, Ill./Highland). Third baseman Todd Harpstrite (Trenton, Ill./Wesclin)’s (Trenton, Ill./Wesclin) single would score both Weston and first baseman Thomas Rose (Highland, Ill./Highland) (Highland, Ill./Highland), and shortstop Chris Bellm (Highland, Ill./Highland)’s (Highland, Ill./Highland) sacrifice fly to centerfield scored Wilkins to give the Bearcats a 6-1 lead after three innings.

 

In the fourth inning, despite a Blackburn pitching change, the Bearcats continued their hot hitting when Melliere opened the inning with a solo home run, increasing the lead to 7-1 Bearcats. Blackburn cut the lead in half in the seventh inning after scoring three runs, making the score 7-4 Bearcats.

 

McKendree would take over from there though, using two home runs in the eighth inning by substitute leftfielder Anthony Clervi (Columbia, Mo./Rock Bridge) (Columbia, Mo./Rock Bridge) and Bellm on their way to scoring seven runs in the final two innings, ending the game by a score of 14-4.

 

The Bearcats had five hitters with multiple hits in the game. Rose led the team at the plate, going 4-6 with two RBI’s, while Weston finished the game 3-6 with two RBI’s. Cale Johnson (Greenville, Ill./Greenville) (Greenville, Ill./Greenville) picked up the win for the Bearcats after throwing five innings, giving up two hits and striking out three, bringing his record to 3-0.

 

McKendree returns to the diamond Sunday for a doubleheader against Missouri Valley College. Action at Hypes Field is set to begin at 1:00 p.m.