(LEBANON, Ill., March 31)- The McKendree University softball team lost its opening game on day two of the McKendree Invitational, 8-0, to Missouri Baptist University, but bounced back to defeat Park University, 1-0, in game two to earn a split.

The Bearcats will face off against University of Michigan-Dearborn on Sunday, April 1 at noon to close out the invitational.

McKendree 0, Missouri Baptist 8 (5 inn.)

McKendree struggled offensively in game one, only collecting two hits, in a 8-0 loss in five innings to Missouri Baptist. The Spartans scored three runs in the second inning, and followed with three in the fourth and two in the fifth.

Freshman shortstop Caty Ponce (Edwardsville, Ill./Edwardsville) and sophomore second baseman Kendyll Koester (Lebanon, Ill./Lebanon HS) each had a hit for McKendree in the loss, while freshman pitcher Taylor Blackwell (Highland, Ill./Highland) fell to 2-5 overall and recorded two strikeouts.


McKendree 1, Park 0

An unearned run in the bottom of the first, paired with a solid defensive effort, was all the Bearcats needed in game two to earn a 1-0 win over Park University.

Sophomore rightfielder Caitlin Stredde (Pingree Grove, Ill./South Elgin) led off the bottom of the first inning with a single and later advanced to second on a groundout by Ponce. Stredde would score during the next at bat on an error by the first baseman to put McKendree in front 1-0.

Senior pitcher Autumn Allen (Fairview Heights, Ill./Belleville East HS) only allowed three hits in the contest and struck out four to hold the Pirates scoreless and improve her record to 8-3 overall this season.

Stredde and Ponce had McKendree's only two hits in the game.