(LEBANON, Ill., March 20)—The McKendree University baseball posted a non-conference doubleheader sweep at home on Friday against Benedictine College. The Bearcats edged the Ravens in the opener, 3-1, before staging a late rally for an 8-3 win in the nightcap.

The victories give McKendree an overall record of 10-11 heading into Saturday's twinbill at home against Bethel College. First pitch is at 1 p.m.

Senior right-hander Cale Johnson (Greenville, Ill./Greenville) (Greenville, Ill./Greenville) scattered nine hits in a complete game victory in the opener. Johnson allowed one earned run with a walk and six strikeouts.

Benedictine (11-9) scored its only run off Johnson in the first inning before the Bearcats took control. McKendree scored twice in the third inning to seize the lead for good. The Bearcats loaded the bases with two outs before senior outfielder Calvin O'Rear (DuBois, Ill./Nashville) (DuBois, Ill./Nashville) ripped a two-run single to push McKendree in front, 2-1. The Bearcats scored an insurance run in the sixth when O'Rear singled, stole second base and came home on an RBI double from senior catcher Craig Session (Centralia, Ill./Centralia) (Centralia, Ill./Centralia).

The McKendree bats were silent for much of the nightcap as the Ravens took a 2-0 lead into the bottom of the fifth inning. Junior outfielder Ryan Meyer (Breese, Ill./Breese Central) (Breese, Ill./Breese Central) and senior infielder Tom Rose (Highland, Ill./Highland) led off the frame with consecutive singles before a bunt moved them to second and third base. After Meyer scored on a balk, junior infielder Adam Davinroy (Shiloh, Ill./Althoff Catholic) (Shiloh, Ill./Althoff Catholic) tied the contest with an RBI single to score Rose.

With two outs in the inning, junior infielder Warren Militello (Flora, Ill./Flora) drew a walk, and he scored the tie-breaking run as junior catcher Joe Dickman (Alhambra, Ill./Highland) (Alhambra, Ill./Highland) delivered a run-scoring double.

The lead was short-lived as Benedictine tied the game in the top of the sixth, but McKendree erupted for five runs in the bottom of the stanza to pull away. Meyer broke the 3-3 tie with an RBI double. Davinroy and Militello also had run-scoring hits in the inning before junior infielder Kory Peppenhorst (Carlyle, Ill./Carlyle) (Carlyle, Ill./Carlyle) capped the rally with a two-run single.

Meyer finished the game with three hits, while Militello, Davinroy and Rose each collected a pair of safeties.

Sophomore right-hander Eric Gentz (New Baden, IL/Wesclin) (New Baden, Ill./Wesclin) picked up the win in relief for McKendree. Gentz tossed the final 1 1/3 innings, giving up just one hit with two strikeouts.

-McK-