(LEBANON, Ill., March 21)—The McKendree University baseball team continued its winning ways with a doubleheader sweep of Bethel College. The Bearcats took the first game by a count of 18-5 before edging the Wildcats in the nightcap, 5-4.

The sweep extends the Bearcats' winning streak to four games. McKendree moves above the .500 mark for the first time this season at 12-11, and the Bearcats will wrap up a nine-game homestand Sunday at 2 p.m. with a game against Lindenwood University.

In game one, McKendree fell behind 5-0 after one-half inning of play before the offensive came to life. The Bearcats scratched out a pair of runs in the second inning to cut their deficit to 5-2. Sophomore catcher Kyle Moll (Mascoutah, IL/Mascoutah) (Mascoutah, Ill./Mascoutah) had a sacrifice fly ahead of an RBI single by junior infielder Adam Davinroy (Shiloh, Ill./Althoff Catholic) (Shiloh, Ill./Althoff Catholic).

McKendree then erupted for seven runs in the third inning to grab a 9-5 advantage. Junior outfielder Ryan Meyer (Breese, Ill./Breese Central) (Breese, Ill./Breese Central) started the uprising with a two-run single. After the tying run scored on an error, the Bearcats loaded the bases and Moll ripped a three-run double to give the Bearcats the lead for good at 8-5. McKendree plated another run on an error to round out the scoring in the frame.

Sophomore outfielder Tyler Muren (Belleville, IL/Belleville West) (Belleville, Ill./Belleville) produced an RBI single in the fourth inning to give the Bearcats a 10-5 lead. McKendree then closed out the shortened contest by putting up eight runs in the bottom of the fifth. Meyer collected a three-run double for a 13-5 lead. Senior Derek Goetzl (Milan, Ill./Rock Island) (Milan, Ill./Rock Island) then delivered an RBI single for a nine-run McKendree advantage.

The Bearcats loaded the bases one more time when senior infielder Dusty Schallenberg (New Douglas, Ill./Highland) (New Douglas, Ill./Highland) belted a grand slam to end the contest.

Meyer finished with three hits and five RBI, while Muren also collected three safeties. Schallenberg and Moll each posted four runs batted in.

Junior right-hander Nolan Martz (East Alton, IL/Roxana) (East Alton, Ill./Roxana) settled down after a rocky first inning to earn his second victory of the season. Martz allowed six hits with three walks and five strikeouts.

McKendree had to rally in the second game as well. The Bearcats trailed 2-0 heading into the bottom of the second inning when they rallied for two runs in the bottom of the second to tie the game at 2-2. Meyer singled, stole second base and moved to third on an error. Muren brought Meyer home with an RBI single to cut the Wildcats' lead in half. Muren scored when Davinroy grounded into a fielder's choice.

The Bearcats grabbed the lead with three runs in the third inning. Junior catcher Joe Dickman (Alhambra, Ill./Highland) (Alhambra, Ill./Highland) belted a one-out, solo home run to give McKendree a 3-2 lead. Senior infielder Tom Rose (Highland, Ill./Highland) drove in a run with a single, and Muren had his second RBI hit of the contest to close out the scoring for McKendree.

Bethel (9-14) tried to rally with single runs in the fifth and seventh innings, but junior right-hander Mark Chapman (Highland, Ill./Highland) (Highland, Ill./Highland) got the final two outs for his third save of the year.

Sophomore left-hander Alex Young (Odin, IL/Odin) (Odin, Ill./Odin) scattered six hits over four innings to pick up the victory in game two. He walked three and struck out five.

-McK-