(HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn., Feb. 19) - The McKendree University softball team moved their record to 5-4 overall after topping Lindenwood 11-0, before falling to Ohio Dominican 9-1 on the final day of the Music City Invitational.

The Bearcats return to action on Friday, February 24 to participate in the USI Tournament. McKendree will face Ferris State University at 1:00 p.m., followed by a rematch with Ohio Dominican at 3:00 p.m.

Game 1 - McKendree 11 Lindenwood 0 (5 inns.)

McKendree's offense picked right back up from where it left off after Saturday's win against Kentucky Wesleyan. Liz Klussman (Washington, Mo./Washington) grabbed her first double of the year by sending one down the right field line, followed by an Abbie Bailey (Tinley Park, IL/Andrew ) walk. Senior Rebecca Franke (Trenton, Ill./Wesclin) would drive in both runners after sending a triple to the gap in right-center. The Bearcats would tack on another run thanks to a Caitlyn Lowry (St. Louis, MO/Notre Dame ) sacrifice fly, extending the lead to 3-0.

The Bearcats would continue the high-powered offense in the top of third by plating seven runs on three hits. Sparking the early rally was a three-run homer to dead center from Rachel Hastings (Forsyth, Ill./Maroa-Forsyth ). Following a pair of walks, Lowry would drive in two runs after reaching on a fielder's choice. Tacking on two more runs, freshman Hannah Murphy (O'Fallon, MO/Fort Zumwalt North ) recorded her first home run as a Bearcat to lift McKendree's lead to 10-0.

Hastings would add to the Bearcat lead in the top of the fourth, nabbing her second long ball of the day helping McKendree in the 11-0 victory.

On the rubber, Holly Magre (Festus, Mo./St. Pius X) (3-2) in four innings of work would allow no runs on four hits and record five strikeouts. Reliever Brooke Gajewski (Kronenwetter, Wis./D.C. Everest) in one inning of action recorded a pair of strikeouts.
 

Game 2 - Ohio Dominican 9  McKendree 1 (6 innings)

Ohio Dominican University(3-3) would find a way to quiet the Bearcats' high-powered offense and spark their own en route to defeating McKendree 9-1.

After surrendering a run in the top of the first, McKendree found the equalizer as Abbie Bailey (Tinley Park, IL/Andrew ) crossed the plate prior to Brooke Gajewski (Kronenwetter, Wis./D.C. Everest) being thrown out at third following a Hastings groundout.

Freshman Hannah Murphy (O'Fallon, MO/Fort Zumwalt North ) would get the start in the circle as the Panthers caught on quick. Plating five runs on six hits in the top of the third, Ohio Dominican would take a 6-1 lead.

Panther starter Abby Lamping went all six innings on the mound, allowing just one run and one hit. Retiring 12 in a row to close out the game, the Panthers would add one insurance run in the fourth and two in the sixth.

Murphy would suffer the loss after allowing six runs, while Kylee Silliman (Fremont, IA/Oskaloosa ) would allow three runs after coming out of the bullpen.