Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 (LEBANON, Ill., April 21)—The McKendree University baseball team was defeated in both ends of a Great Lakes Valley Conference doubleheader Sunday at home by Saint Joseph's College. The visiting Pumas grabbed a 3-0 decision in game one before pulling away for a 14-3 victory in the nightcap.
 
The Bearcats slip to 18-18 overall and are now 13-15 in GLVC play. McKendree will begin a seven-game road swing Tuesday with a night contest at Maryville University in St. Louis. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.
 
Game one featured a pitching duel between McKendree freshman right-hander Matt Sax (Chicago, IL/Jones Prep) and Saint Joseph's lefty Brett Maus. Both pitchers went the distance in the seven-inning contest, with Maus winning the match-up with a two-hitter, while Sax allowed five hits in taking the hard-luck loss for the Bearcats.
 
Senior first baseman Rob Beatty (Millstadt, IL/Belleville West) provided much of the offense on the day for the Bearcats as he collected four of the Bearcats' 10 hits, including both McKendree safeties in game one. Junior shortstop Tony Kossina (Millstadt, IL/Belleville West) drove in a pair of runs in the second contest.
 
Saint Joseph's (22-13, 17-9 GLVC) rode the hot bat of outfielder Brandon Brian to the sweep. Brian belted three home runs on the day, including a pair of solo blasts in game one.
 
In game two, the Pumas broke a scoreless tie with five runs in the third inning. They tacked on three more runs in the top of the fourth inning to build an 8-0 lead before McKendree plated all three of its runs in the bottom of the frame. The Bearcats put together a two-out rally as five straight batters reached base in the inning.
 
With Beatty aboard thanks to a Saint Joseph's error, junior catcher Tyler Collins (Marietta, GA/Walker) reached on a fielder's choice as Beatty was forced out at second base. Junior catcher/outfielder Kolton King (Marion, IL/Marion) and sophomore infielder Blake Abbott (Peoria, IL/Dunlap) followed with singles to load the bases. Sophomore outfielder Jason Hobson (Griggsville, IL/Griggsville-Perry) stepped up next and drew a walk to force home Collins for the first run of the inning.
 
Kossina stepped up next and drilled a two-run single into right field to score King and Abbott to cut the Bearcats' deficit to 8-3.
 
Saint Joseph's then put the game out of reach with three runs each in the fifth and seventh innings. The Pumas collected 13 hits in the game and took advantage of nine walks by six McKendree pitchers.
 
Freshman right-hander Travis Blumhorst (Venedy, IL/Okawville) was charged with the game two loss, giving up four earned runs and two hits with two walks and two strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings of work.