(SOMERS, Wis., May 3)—The McKendree University baseball team notched a pair of one-run victories Saturday in posting a doubleheader sweep at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. The Bearcats held on for a 9-8 victory in the opener before a late rally sparked McKendree to a 4-3, eight-inning win in game two.

Senior outfielder Steven Todoschuk (Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada/Saltfleet) provided the heroics on the day as he ripped four hits on the day, including three in game one. However, it was Todoschuk's two-run home run with one out in the top of the seventh inning that tied game two at 3-3 and forced extra innings. In the eighth, freshman infielder Zach Klockowski (Tinley Park, IL/Andrew) blasted a solo homer to put the Bearcats in front to stay.

With the sweep, McKendree stretches its season-high win streak to five games. The Bearcats are 20-28 overall and will close out the 2014 season with another twinbill at Wisconsin-Parkside. First pitch is set for noon.

Junior third baseman Jake Kline (Carol Stream, IL/Glenbard North) had two hits and three RBI in the game one win, while Klockowski added two hits and three RBI on the day for McKendree. Sophomore left-hander Sam Lidisky (Swansea, IL/Althoff Catholic) pitched all eight innings in the nightcap to register the victory on the mound. Lidisky allowed seven hits while striking out a career-high 10 batters in his 119-pitch effort.

The Bearcats trailed 1-0 heading into the third inning of game two before tying the contest. Senior shortstop Tony Kossina (Millstadt, IL/Belleville West) reached on a two-base error before junior outfielder Kyle Rutledge (Bloomington, IL/Normal) and Todoschuk were hit by pitches to load the bases. Kline then reached on a fielder's choice to score Kossina with the tying run.

Wisconsin-Parkside (14-28, 12-22 GLVC) regained the lead with single runs in the fourth and sixth innings to take a 3-1 lead into the seventh inning. Kossina was hit by a pitch to open the seventh, and two batters later Todoschuk belted his eighth home run of the season over the center field fence to knot the contest at 3-3.

Leading off the eighth inning for McKendree, Klockowski drove a 1-1 pitch over the right field wall for his third homer of the year to give the Bearcats a 4-3 lead. From there Lidisky was able to hold the Rangers in check to register the final three outs and complete the sweep for McKendree. The game two victory marked the Bearcats' first triumph in extra innings this season.

In game one, Wisconsin-Parkside jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second inning before McKendree responded with four runs in the top of the third inning to surge in front. Kossina started the uprising with a one-out infield single. Freshman infielder Justin Becker (Bartelso, IL/Breese Central) followed with a single and Todoschuk got the Bearcats on the scoreboard with an RBI double to plate Kossina.

Kline stepped up next and ripped a two-run double to center field, which scored Becker and Todoschuk to tie the contest at 3-3. Rutledge capped the rally as he delivered Kline with a run-scoring single.

The Bearcats added a run in the top of the fifth to stretch their lead to 5-3. Becker led off with a single and stole second base. With two outs in the frame, Klockowski posted an RBI single to score Becker. The Rangers then tied the game at 5-5 with two runs in the bottom of the fifth.

McKendree grabbed the lead for good in the opener with two runs in the seventh inning. Todoschuk opened the inning with a single and Kline walked before Rutledge put down a sacrifice bunt to move both runners into scoring position. Klockowski broke the tie with a sacrifice fly before junior first baseman Jeff Tolliver (Salem, IL/Salem) added an RBI single to give the Bearcats a two-run advantage at 7-5.

In the top of the eighth inning, McKendree tacked on two more runs to extend its lead to 9-5. Freshman outfielder Grant Anderson (Mackinaw, IL/Deer Creek-Mackinaw) had a leadoff single and moved to third base on a pair of groundouts. With two outs, Todoschuk drew a walk to put runners at the corners before Anderson scored on a passed ball. Todoschuk, who moved to second base on the misplay, then scored when Kline delivered an RBI single to left field.

Wisconsin-Parkside rallied for three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to pull within one before sophomore right-hander A.J. Wise (Troy, IL/Triad) came out of the bullpen to retire the final Rangers' hitter of the inning. Wise then pitched a perfect ninth inning to pick up his second save of the year.

Senior right-hander Cole Wille (Maryville, IL/Collinsville) pitched 2 2/3 innings of relief to earn the victory on the mound for the Bearcats. Willie scattered six hits and three earned runs with a walk and one strikeout. The win was the first of the 2014 season for Wille.