(St. LOUIS, Mo., March 18) – The McKendree University softball team swept an American Midwest Conference doubleheader Wednesday afternoon at Missouri Baptist University 3-1 and 3-2.

McKendree, now 7-6 overall and 2-2 in the AMC, will travel to Blue Springs, Mo., Saturday and Sunday for the Avila University tournament.

In game one, senior pitcher Amy Quirin (Belleville, Ill./Belleville West HS) (Belleville, Ill./Belleville West) held the Spartans to three hits and struck out five to win her second game of the season. The Bearcats scored three runs in the top of the first inning and gave up the only Spartan run in the fourth inning to cruise to the win.

The Bearcats started off hot again in game two, holding the hosts scoreless, while scoring two runs in the bottom of the first to take an early lead. The Spartans tied the game in the top of the third inning and in the bottom of the seventh inning McKendree junior rightfielder Taylee Spicuzza (Dahlgren, Ill./Hamilton County HS) (Dahlgren, Ill./Hamilton County) hit a two-out double to keep the Bearcats hopes alive for the win. Sophomore first baseman Cathy Webb (Mascoutah, Ill./Mascoutah HS) (Mascoutah, Ill./Mascoutah) hit a line drive into right-centerfield to send Spicuzza heading for home for the winning run. Spicuzza was initially called out at home, but the call was then reversed when the Missouri Baptist catcher dropped the tag, giving the Bearcats the 3-2 win.

Senior centerfielder Kayla White (Buncombe, Ill./Vienna HS) (Buncombe, Ill./Vienna) led McKendree with a combined 4-7 day at the plate with two runs scored and a double. McGuire also had two hits with a triple and three RBI on the day.

-McK-