Box Score (GULF SHORES, Feb. 7)- The McKendree University softball team used a late rally on Sunday to earn its first win of the year, 11-7, over University of West Alabama.

The Bearcats improve to 1-4 overall and will travel to Montevallo, Ala., on Feb. 12-14 to compete at the University of Montevallo tournament.

McKendree got off to a quick start, scoring single runs in the first two innings, before adding three runs in the third inning. A two-out triple by Brooke Gajewski (Kronenwetter, Wis./D.C. Everest) in the first inning scored Rachel Hastings (Forsyth, Ill./Maroa-Forsyth High School) to go ahead 1-0, and a solo home run by Marla Schulte (O'Fallon, Ill./O'Fallon Township), her first of the season, in the second inning extended the lead to 2-0. A single by Gajewski in the third inning brought Hanna Branch (Kirkwood, Mo./Kirkwood) in to score from second, and Dani Schoenbacher (Tamaroa, Ill./Pinckeyville) hit a two-run home run, her first of the season, later in the inning to push the lead out to 5-0.

The Tigers rallied in the fourth inning, tying the game, 5-5, and later took a 7-5 lead in the fifth inning. McKendree cut the deficit to 7-6 in the sixth inning when Stephens scored from third on a throwing error by the pither on a bunt by Jamie Doggendorf (Dittmer, Mo./Northwest). The Bearcats took the lead, 8-7, in the seventh inning on a two RBI single by Doggendorf, and extended the lead to 11-7 on a bases loaded double by Branch. McKendree went on to hold West Alabama scoreless in the bottom of the seventh to earn its first win of the year.

Magre earned the win and struck out seven to improve to 1-1 overall this season. Branch was 3-5 with two RBI, two runs scored and a double in the win, while Gajewski was also 3-5 with a triple and two RBI.