(ST. LOUIS, Mo., April 30)—The McKendree University baseball team has put together its first three-game win streak of the season thanks to a 6-3 victory Wednesday afternoon at Maryville University.

Senior shortstop Tony Kossina (Millstadt, IL/Belleville West) had three hits and scored a pair of runs, while senior outfielder Steven Todoschuk (Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada/Saltfleet) added two hits and two RBI as the Bearcats improved to 18-28 on the season. Freshman infielder Zach Klockowski (Tinley Park, IL/Andrew) continued to swing a hot bat as he added three hits for McKendree, which rapped out 14 hits in the non-conference win.

The Bearcats will head to Somers, Wis., this weekend to wrap up the 2014 season with a four-game series at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. The teams will play Great Lakes Valley Conference doubleheaders Saturday and Sunday with first pitch each day coming at noon.

McKendree led from start to finish, taking a 3-0 lead in the second inning. With one out, freshman outfielder Grant Anderson (Mackinaw, IL/Deer Creek-Mackinaw) and freshman catcher Nathan Micklautz (Louisville, IL/North Clay) strung together consecutive singles before Kossina got the Bearcats on the scoreboard with an RBI double. Freshman infielder Justin Becker (Bartelso, IL/Breese Central) drove Micklautz home with an RBI groundout to build a 2-0 advantage.

Todoschuk continued the inning as he drew a walk and junior third baseman Jake Kline (Carol Stream, IL/Glenbard North) followed with a run-scoring single to plate Kossina with the final run of the inning.

Maryville (19-26) battled back with two runs in the fourth inning to pull within 3-2 before the teams traded runs in the fifth inning. Klockowski opened the top of the fifth with a single and moved to second base on a passed ball. A single by junior first baseman Jeff Tolliver (Salem, IL/Salem) moved Klockowski to third base, who then scored on a double play ground ball to extend the Bearcats' lead back to 4-2. The Saints then answered with a run in the bottom of the frame to pull back within a run at 4-3.

The Bearcats regained a two-run advantage in the sixth inning as Kossina singled, stole second base, moved to third on a hit by Becker and scored when Todoschuk lifted a sacrifice fly to left field. McKendree plated its final run in the eighth inning when Becker led off with a double and came around to score thanks to an RBI single off the bat of Todoschuk.

Senior right-hander Jon Trampe (Collinsville, IL/Metro East Lutheran) battled through the first five innings on the mound to pick up the victory for McKendree. Trampe scattered 10 hits and allowed three earned runs while striking out three batters to move to 3-1 on the season. Sophomore Matt Sax (Chicago, IL/Jones Prep) tossed four shutout innings to close the contest and collect his first save of the season for the Bearcats.