(LEBANON, Ill., MARCH 22)- The McKendree College Bearcats used a late game surge for the second straight night on their way to a sweep of visiting Lindenwood University in Thursday nights doubleheader

 

The Bearcats stumbled in the top of the first inning, giving up four runs including an inside the park home run caused by two throwing errors, only to battle back in the bottom of the inning on a home run by designated hitter Becky Sommer (Freeburg, Ill./Freeburg) (Freeburg, Ill./Freeburg) and a RBI single by second baseman Leah Cometto (Coulterville, Ill./Coulterville) (Coulterville, Ill./Coulterville) that scored catcher Angie Maue (Trenton, Ill./Wesclin HS) (Trenton, Ill./Wesclin) cutting the lead in half, 4-2.

 

After holding the Lions scoreless in the top of the second, first baseman Rachel Ostertag (O’Fallon, Mo./Francis Howell) led off the inning by sending a pitch deep into centerfield for a homerun. That would only be the beginning for the Bearcats in the second inning though, as centerfielder Kayla White (Buncombe, Ill./Vienna HS) (Buncombe, Ill./Vienna) would score Andrea Hawkins (St. Peters, Mo./Ft. Zumwalt South) (St. Peters, Mo./Ft. Zumwalt South) on a double, followed by shortstop Courtney Aldridge (Dupo, Ill./Dupo) (Dupo, Ill./Dupo) ripping a single to score Amber Nikolauzyk (Mascoutah, Ill./Mascoutah HS) (Mascoutah, Ill./Mascoutah). Sommer stepped up again hitting a double to bring home both Aldridge and White, giving the Bearcats an 8-4 lead. Lindenwood would score once in the fourth, but the Bearcats defense kept the Lions from starting a late-game rally, on their way to the 8-5 win.

 

Becky Sommers led the Bearcats, going 3-4 with three RBI’s and a homerun, while Angie Maue (Trenton, Ill./Wesclin HS) was 2-2 with an RBI. Pitcher Sloane Hertleine (Harrisburg, Ill./Harrisburg) picked up the win, throwing 3.1 innings and giving up only four hits.

 

The Lions looked poised for a win in game two Thursday afternoon, leading 2-0 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning, but a leadoff double by Aldridge would kick start a Bearcat rally. After a groundout, White tripled to left centerfield to bring Aldridge in to score.  A single by rightfielder Molly Reed (Carrollton, Ill./Carrollton) (Carrollton, Ill./Carrollton) scored White to tie up the game 2-2 heading into the seventh inning.

 

The Lindenwood bats fell silent in the seventh, and McKendree capitalized when a single by Aldridge scored third baseman Rachel Ferguson (Chatham, Ill./Glenwood), giving the Bearcats a 3-2 victory.

 

Five Bearcats had multiple hits in game two, led by Aldridge’s 2-2 and one RBI. Lindsey Christensen (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South) picked up the win, throwing seven innings, while giving up seven hits and striking out three.

 

McKendree hits the road this weekend for Kansas City, Mo., where they will play in the Avila University Tournament Saturday and Sunday.