(LEBANON, Ill., March 20)- The McKendree University softball team ended its three-day invitational tournament on a high note on Sunday with two wins, winning game one over Aquinas College (Mich.), 4-1, before defeating Benedictine University-Springfield, 6-5, in 12 innings.

The Bearcats improved to 10-9 overall on the season and will host Lindenwood University in a doubleheader on Tuesday, March 22 at 2 p.m.

The Saints took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, and the Bearcats wouldn't get on the scoreboard until the top of the fourth inning. A double by sophomore third baseman Dana Schulte (New Baden, Ill., Wesclin) scored freshman shortstop Kendyll Koester (Lebanon, Ill., Lebanon HS) to tie the game, and a double by freshman designated player Ashley Huecker (Lake St. Louis, Mo., Holt HS) scored Schulte to give McKendree a 2-1 lead. The Bearcats added two more runs in the top of the sixth inning on a home run by Schulte to put McKendree in the lead 4-1 for good.

Junior pitcher BethAnn Swartz (Urbana, Ill., Urbana HS) improved to 3-4 overall with the win, striking out two and walking one. Schulte was 3-for-3 with three RBI, a double and a home run.

In game two, the Bearcats scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to take a 3-0 lead. A triple by freshman outfielder Caitlin Stredde (Elgin, Ill., South Elgin HS) scored two runs and Stredde would score on an error by the catcher one batter later. In the sixth inning, senior outfielder Jamie Corbier (O'Fallon, Ill., O'Fallon Township HS) scored on an error and a double by Schulte scored senior first baseman Cathy Webb (Mascoutah, Ill./Mascoutah HS) to take a 5-0 lead.

The Bulldogs rallied in the top of the seventh to tie the game 5-5, and it wouldn't be until the bottom of the 12th inning when Koester would score Webb on a single to end the game, 6-5.

Swartz was tabbed with the win in relief to improve to 4-4 overall and had two strikeouts. Koester was 4-for-7 and had the game-winning RBI to lead McKendree at the plate.