(LEBANON, Ill, March 22)- The McKendree University softball team cruised to a 6-1 win over Lindenwood University (Mo.) on Tuesday, but had to rally to win game two, 7-5, of the doubleheader to earn the sweep over the visiting Lions.

McKendree improved to 12-9 overall and is scheduled to host No. 12 Columbia College (Mo.) on Thursday, March 24th for an American Midwest Conference doubleheader at 2 p.m.

The Bearcats scored first in the bottom of the first inning on a single by sophomore third baseman Dana Schulte (New Baden, Ill., Wesclin), and after holding the Lions scoreless in the top the second, added five runs to build a 6-0 lead. Senior first baseman Cathy Webb (Mascoutah, Ill., Mascoutah HS) hit a single to shallow left field with the bases loaded to score senior outfielder Jamie Corbier (O'Fallon, Ill., O'Fallon Township HS), and Schulte followed by reaching on an error by the third baseman to score freshman outfielder Caitlin Stredde (Elgin, Ill., South Elgin HS) for the first two runs of the inning.  Freshman shortstop Kendyll Koester (Lebanon, Ill., Lebanon HS) then cleared the bases with a double to put McKendree in a six-run lead after two innings of play.

The Lions only run of the game came on an error by the shortstop with runners on second and third to make the score 6-1.

Junior pitcher Autumn Allen (Fairview Heights, Ill., Belleville East HS) pitched seven innings and struck out six, with four walks and three hits to improve to 6-3 overall on the season. Stredde led McKendree withe a 2-for-4 effort at the plate with one run scored. Koester and junior outfielder Kari Frazier (Lebanon, Ill., Lebanon HS) each also had a double in the win.

Lindenwood took an early lead in game two, scoring two runs in the first inning on two singles, only for McKendree to cut the deficit in half, 2-1, in the bottom of the second on a double by sophomore catcher Emily Mouyard (Johnson City, Ill./Johnson City) that scored Koester from first.

The Bearcats tied the game, 2-2, in the third inning when Stredde scored from third base on an error by the second baseman. A double by Schulte in the next at bat scored Webb from first to give McKendree a 3-2 lead after three innings.

The Lions tied the game in the fifth inning on a home run and took a 5-3 lead after a bases loaded single, but the Bearcats scored four runs in the bottom of the frame to regain the lead. A two-out single by Koester scored Frazier to start the rally, and Mouyard followed with a three-run homer to right-center to put McKendree in front for good 7-5.

Junior pitcher BethAnn Swartz (Urbana, Ill., Urbana HS) earned the win with five strikeouts in five innings of work, while freshman Heather Deering (Breese, Ill., Mater Dei Catholic HS) earned her first collegiate save after pitching two innings and striking out one. Stredde, Schulte, Koester and Mouyard all had two hits to lead the Bearcats in game two. Mouyard had a double and a home run, while Schulte and Frazier also had doubles.