(EVANSVILLE, Ind., Feb. 24) – Hot bats would lift McKendree to a pair of wins Friday, February 24 at the Midwest Region Crossover. Behind 11 hits, the Bearcats would defeat Ferris State 7-6 in the opener, followed by a mid-game rally to revenge last week's loss to Ohio Dominican.
McKendree will be back in action tomorrow Saturday, Feburary 25 as they take on Trevecca Nazarene at 1:00 p.m., followed by a rematch with Saginaw Valley State University at 3:00 p.m.
GAME 1 – McKendree 7 Ferris State 6
A three-run six inning rally helped lift the Bearcats passed Ferris State University (0-1) in their weekend opener at the Midwest Region Crossover.
Striking first, the Bearcats would plate two runs in the top of the third.
Brooke Gajewski (Kronenwetter, Wis./D.C. Everest) would drive in McKendree's first run with a single to center, followed by
Rachel Hastings (Forsyth, Ill./Maroa-Forsyth ) grabbing an RBI fielder's choice which scored
Jamie Doggendorf (Dittmer, Mo./Northwest).
The Bulldogs would respond by recording four runs in the bottom of the innings. A two RBI double and a two-run home run to center field would give Ferris State a 4-2 lead.
Responding in the top of the fifth, McKendree would send seven hitters to play grabbing two runs back on two hits to tie the game up at 4-4. A part of the comeback rally, Hastings would nab another fielder's choice RBI followed by a pinch-hit RBI single for
Samantha Cameron (Dix, Ill./Centralia, Ill.).
Ferris State would grab two runs themselves in the bottom of the fifth. Stringing together an RBI double and a RBI groundout, the Bulldogs took a 6-4 lead.
McKendree's bats would come alive again in the sixth, singles by
Hannah Murphy (O'Fallon, MO/Fort Zumwalt North ) and
Jamie Doggendorf (Dittmer, Mo./Northwest) would allow
Hanna Branch (Kirkwood, Mo./Kirkwood) to record a two RBI double to left. The Bearcats would capture and keep the lead thank to Hastings single up the middle, recording her third RBI of the game.
The Bulldogs would not go down easy striking a two-out rally, but would strand the bases loaded.
On the mound,
Maci Ingram (Woodlawn, Ill./Nashville Community ) would get the start going three innings surrendering four runs with five strikeouts. Reliever
Kylee Silliman (Fremont, IA/Oskaloosa ) would pick up her third win of the year throwing four innings and surrendering two runs.
GAME 2 – McKendree 8 Ohio Dominican 2
A four run fourth inning followed by a three run fifth helped the Bearcats to a revenge win over Ohio Dominican University.
Starter
Holly Magre (Festus, Mo./St. Pius X) came firing out of the gate, allowing just two hits in the first three innings. The Panthers would strike first in the top of the fourth with a solo home run to center field.
It was all McKendree after that. The Bearcats would explode for four runs on two hits and two Panther errors in their half of the fourth.
Rebecca Franke (Trenton, Ill./Wesclin) would drive in two runs with a double to right center, Hannah Murrphy would score on a throwing error, and
Liz Klussman (Washington, Mo./Washington) nabbed an RBI sacrifice fly.
The Bearcats would surrender a run in the fifth, but counter attack by plating three more. Hanna Brach would steal third base and advance home on a throwing error, followed by
Rachel Hastings (Forsyth, Ill./Maroa-Forsyth ) grabbing her fourth RBI of the day by doubling to right center. McKendree would secure a 7-2 lead after five innings thanks to an
Erica Schuelke (Germantown, Wis./West Bend) RBI groundout.
Hanna Branch (Kirkwood, Mo./Kirkwood) would add to the Bearcat lead in the sixth with a home run to left center.
Magre would shut down Ohio Dominican the rest of the way in the complete game. Capturing her fourth win of season Magre recorded eight strikeouts.
