(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., May 2)- The McKendree University softball team kept on a roll Saturday afternoon with a 5-3 win over Harris-Stowe State University.

McKendree, now 24-14 overall, will face Missouri Baptist University at 5 p.m. in an elimination game. The Bearcats were defeated Friday night in the first round of the tournament by Missouri Baptist 3-0.

The Hornets struck first in the game and took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on a single by Rebecca Rhode that scored Jamie Renfro. McKendree bounced back in the third inning and scored three runs to take a 3-1 lead. Senior outfielder Amber Nikolauzyk (Mascoutah, Ill./Mascoutah HS) (Mascoutah, Ill./Mascoutah) scored on a groundout by junior third baseman Natalee Rujawitz (O'Fallon, Ill./O'Fallon HS) (O'Fallon, Ill./O'Fallon) to tie the game 1-1. With senior outfielder Kayla White (Buncombe, Ill./Vienna HS) (Buncombe, Ill./Vienna) on third, freshman catcher Lindsay McGuire (Benton, Ill./Benton HS) (Benton, Ill./Benton) hit a home run to give McKendree a 3-1 lead.

The Bearcats scored two more runs in the bottom tfhe fourth inning on a triple by Nikolauzyk to put the Bearacts up 5-1. Harris-Stowe would score one run in the top of the sixth but it wouldn't be enough and the Bearcats eliminated Harris-Stowe from the tournament with a 5-2 win.

Freshman pitcher Autumn Allen (Fairview Heights, Ill./Belleville East HS) (Fairview Heights, Ill./Belleville East) improved to 8-4 on the season in the win and posted eight strikeouts. At the plate the Bearcats were led by Nikolauzyk's triple and two RBI, along with McGuire's home run and two RBI. Junior designated player Christine Juehne (Trenton, Ill./Wesclin HS) (Trenton, Ill./Wesclin) also had two hits in the win.

-McK-