Box Score (EVANSVILLE, Ind., April 27)—The McKendree University baseball team closed out a four-game weekend series at the University of Southern Indiana on Sunday with a 7-6 loss to the host Screaming Eagles.
The Bearcats trailed 7-4 heading into the top of the ninth inning, but put together one final rally by scoring twice and moving the potential tying run into scoring position. But Southern Indiana was able to record the final out to complete the series sweep of McKendree. The Bearcats are now 9-34 overall and 8-24 in Great Lakes Valley Conference play. McKendree will open a season-ending five-game home stand on Wednesday when Quincy University comes to Hypes Field for a non-conference game. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
Senior first baseman
Jeff Tolliver (Salem, IL/Salem) led McKendree with three hits on Sunday, while sophomore infielder
Justin Becker (Bartelso, IL/Breese Central) contributed a pair of base hits. Senior outfielder
Kyle Rutledge (Bloomington, IL/Normal) and sophomore outfielder
Grant Anderson (Mackinaw, IL/Deer Creek-Mackinaw) each drove in two runs in the effort.
Southern Indiana (21-19, 17-15 GLVC) began the scoring with a run in the second inning before McKendree tied the game with an unearned run in the top of the third. Sophomore infielder
Tyson Boehne (Carlyle, IL/Carlyle) reached on a two-base error to open the frame and came around to score on a two-out single by Becker. The Screaming Eagles quickly regained a 2-1 advantage in the bottom of the third inning.
McKendree grabbed its only lead of the afternoon with two runs in the fourth inning. Junior catcher
Connor Davault (Farmington, MO/Farmington) and Tolliver started the frame with consecutive singles. Senior infielder
Jason Hobson (Griggsville, IL/Griggsville-Perry) stepped up next and reached on a fielder's choice. Two batters later, Anderson doubled to left-center field to plate Tolliver and Hobson to give the Bearcats a 3-2 lead.
In the fifth inning, USI erupted for three runs to take the lead for good at 5-3. McKendree rallied within a run at 5-4 in the top of the seventh inning when senior third baseman
Jake Kline (Carol Stream, IL/Glenbard North) reached on an error and came around to score thanks to an RBI single off the bat of Tolliver. The Screaming Eagles responded with a run in the bottom of the seventh and another tally in the eighth inning to take a 7-4 lead into the final frame.
Tolliver began the Bearcats' ninth-inning rally with a one-out single. Hobson then drew a walk that prompted a Southern Indiana pitching change. With two outs, senior infielder
Pierce Borah (Mt. Vernon, IL/Mt. Vernon) came up as a pinch-hitter and singled to load the bases. Rutledge stepped in next and delivered a two-run single to bring McKendree within 7-6. However, but USI reliever Scott Haag was able to notch the final out to thwart the Bearcats' rally.
Sophomore left-hander
Mitchell Langenhorst (Germantown, IL/Mater Dei) started on the mound for McKendree and was charged with the loss. Langenhorst allowed four earned runs over 4 1/3 innings with two walks and four strikeouts.
