(LEBANON, Ill., March 28)—The McKendree University baseball team rallied from two different deficits, but could not hold off a ninth-inning rally from visiting Lindenwood University as the Bearcats dropped a 12-11 decision Sunday at Hypes Field.
Senior catcher Joe Dickman (Alhambra, Ill./Highland) (Alhambra, Ill./Highland) had three hits on the day for McKendree, while senior infielder Kory Peppenhorst (Carlyle, Ill./Carlyle) (Carlyle, Ill./Carlyle) drove in three runs in the contest. The loss sends the Bearcats to 16-11 on the year, and McKendree has dropped its last three games. The Bearcats are scheduled to play Washington University in a non-conference home game Tuesday at 2 p.m.
Lindenwood (25-10) scored three unearned runs in the top of the first inning, and held that advantage heading into the bottom of the fifth. McKendree came to life after the first two batters were retired in the frame, and put together a four-run rally to grab its first lead of the day at 4-3. Junior infielder Daniel Solis (Chicago, IL/De La Salle) (Chicago, Ill./De La Salle) and senior infielder Adam Davinroy (Shiloh, Ill./Althoff Catholic) (Shiloh, Ill./Althoff Catholic) drew back-to-back walks, and senior outfielder Shane McBride (Troy, Ill./Triad) (Troy, Ill./Triad) singled to load the bases. Peppenhorst then delivered a two-run double to bring McKendree within 3-2.
Dickman stepped up next and belted a two-run double to bring home McBride and Peppenhorst to give the Bearcats a 4-3 advantage.
The visiting Lions responded with five runs in the top of the sixth inning to regain the lead at 8-4. McKendree trimmed the deficit to 8-6 with two runs in the bottom of the sixth. Junior outfielder Daniel Corwin (St. Louis, Mo./DeSmet) hit a one-out, solo home run before the second run of the frame scored on a balk.
The Bearcats edged closer at 8-7 with a run in the seventh inning. McBride reached on an infield single and advanced to second on a throwing error. Peppenhorst stepped up next and singled to score McBride. McKendree then regained the lead with two runs in the bottom of the eighth. Davinroy provided the big hit in the frame with a two-out, two-run double.
But Lindenwood answered one more time by scoring four runs in the top of the ninth to grab a 12-9 lead. McKendree fought back one more time, scoring twice to come within 12-11. Peppenhorst started the inning with a walk and Dickman followed with a single. After both advanced on a wild pitch, Peppenhorst scored on an RBI groundout by senior outfielder Ryan Meyer (Breese, Ill./Breese Central) (Breese, Ill./Breese Central). Corwin then singled to left to bring home sophomore outfielder Brandyn Snider (Fielden, IL/Jersey Community) (Fielden, Ill./Jersey) to cut the Bearcats' deficit to one run.
Corwin then moved into scoring position on a stolen base and reached third when senior infielder Tyson Moore (Salem, Ill./Salem) reached on an infield single with two outs. But the Lions recorded the final out of the game to preserve the victory.
Davinroy, McBride and Corwin all had two hits in the contest for McKendree. Senior right-hander Mark Chapman (Highland, Ill./Highland) (Highland, Ill./Highland), the last of four Bearcat pitchers in the game, was charged with the loss. He allowed four runs on four hits in one inning of work.
-McK-
