Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 (LEBANON, Ill., March 30)—McKendree University and the University of Southern Indiana played a pair of close games Sunday, with each team collecting a victory at Hypes Field. The Bearcats edged the Screaming Eagles in the opener, 7-6, before USI outlasted McKendree for an 8-5 triumph in 13 innings in game two.
The split gives McKendree an overall record of 7-12 and a 3-9 mark in Great Lakes Valley Conference play. The Bearcats will close out a seven-game home stand on Tuesday by hosting the University of Illinois Springfield in another GLVC twinbill. First pitch is set for noon.
As a team, McKendree recorded 24 hits in its 20 innings of work on the day. Junior third baseman Jake Kline (Carol Stream, IL/Glenbard North) led the effort with five hits, including a trio in game two. Senior outfielder Steven Todoschuk (Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada/Saltfleet) added four hits and ripped his second home run in as many days for the Bearcats. Freshman infielder Zach Klockowski (Tinley Park, IL/Andrew) also had four hits, while freshman infielder Tyson Boehne (Carlyle, IL/Carlyle) belted his first career homer during a four-run rally in the ninth inning of the nightcap.
In the opener, McKendree overcame a 3-1 deficit by scoring two runs each in three consecutive innings and held off a late rally by Southern Indiana to grab the victory. After the Screaming Eagles scratched out a run in the top of the first inning, the Bearcats used three straight hits to tie the contest in the bottom of the frame. With one out, Todoschuk singled and moved to third on a double by Kline. Junior first baseman Jeff Tolliver (Salem, IL/Salem) followed with a sharp RBI single to right field to bring home Todoschuk.
Southern Indiana (15-7, 7-3 GLVC) posted single runs in the second and third innings to build a 3-1 advantage. The Bearcats responded by tying the game once again, this time with two runs in the bottom of the third. Senior shortstop Tony Kossina (Millstadt, IL/Belleville West) reached on a two-base error to lead off the frame, then scored on an RBI single by Todoschuk. Klockowski then delivered Todoschuk with a two-out run-scoring double to knot the score.
A sacrifice fly by Kossina and an RBI double by Todoschuk highlighted a two-run outburst in the fourth inning that pushed McKendree in front at 5-3. The Bearcats added two insurance runs in the fifth inning to extend the margin to 7-3. Senior catcher Tyler Collins (Marietta, GA/Walker) provided a two-out RBI single while the other McKendree run scored on an error.
The Screaming Eagles rallied for two runs in the sixth and another in the seventh inning to pull within one. But sophomore left-hander Josh Tonozzi (Mark, IL/Putnam County) was able to induce a game-ending groundout to preserve the win for the Bearcats. Tonozzi pitched the final four innings to pick up the victory, allowing three runs on five hits with five strikeouts.
In the nightcap, Southern Indiana scored single runs in the second, third and fifth innings to open up a 3-0 lead before Todoschuk blasted a solo home run high over the 22-foot fence in right field to get the Bearcats on the scoreboard in the sixth inning. The Screaming Eagles rebounded with runs in the seventh and ninth inning to take a 5-1 lead into the Bearcats' final at-bat in regulation.
Freshman outfielder Grant Anderson (Mackinaw, IL/Deer Creek-Mackinaw) drew a walk to start the bottom of the ninth inning for McKendree. Freshman outfielder Jay Roberts (Plainfield, IL/Plainfield North) then reached on an error to bring Boehne to the plate. Boehne turned on a 2-2 pitch and belted a three-run shot over the left-field fence to cut the Bearcats' deficit to 5-4.
With two outs, Kossina singled to left field and Todoschuk followed by drawing a walk. Kline stepped up next and drilled a double to right-center field. Kossina scored the tying run, and Todoschuk was thrown out at the plate trying to score the winning run.
The Bearcats put together a rally in the bottom of the 12th inning. Kline singled to center field and Klockowski walked to put the winning run in scoring position with one out. However, Southern Indiana was able to turn a double play to end the threat. The Screaming Eagles then plated three runs in the 13th inning pull away for the win.
Sophomore right-hander A.J. Wise (Troy, IL/Triad) pitched well in defeat, giving up three runs (one earned) on three hits with a walk and three strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings of work.
