LEBANON, Ill., March 26) – McKendree University (17-12, 4-4 GLVC) used a four-run first inning to roll past Quincy (10-12, 4-4 GLVC) 14-5 in game one, before dropping the nightcap in extras, 4-1.
Senior Jamie Doggendorf (Dittmer, Mo./Northwest) had a standout day at the plate for the Bearcats. Doggendorf went 5-for-7 at the dish, scoring three times.
Game one: McKendree 14, Quincy 5 (6 innings)
Senior Dani Schoenabcher helped drive in five of the Bearcats' 14 runs going 2-for-3 at the plate, including a two-RBI double in the fourth and a two-run home run in the sixth.
On the mound Holly Magre (Festus, Mo./St. Pius X) (10-5) surrendered three runs on five hits in four innings of work. Reliever Hannah Murphy (O'Fallon, MO/Fort Zumwalt North ), in two innings of work, allowed just three hits and two runs while striking out four.
A four-run first inning started the Bearcats' offensive outburst. Highlighting the inning, Abbie Bailey (Tinley Park, IL/Andrew ) sent the innings only hit up the middle to score Rebecca Franke (Trenton, Ill./Wesclin) and Rachel Hastings (Forsyth, Ill./Maroa-Forsyth ).
Hastings recorded her sixth home run of the year in the second, extending the Bearcats' lead to 6-0.
Quincy responded in the third plating three runs on five hits cutting the Bearcats' lead down to three.
McKendree responded once again as Paige Fleeman (Salem, Ill./Christ Our Rock Lutheran ) in her eighth at-bat of the year sent a two-run shot over the center field wall.
Tacking on three more in the fourth, before surrendering two in the fifth, McKendree sealed the shortened game win as Schoenbacher collected her second home run of the year.
Game two: Quincy 4, McKendree 1 (9 innings)
Doggendorf defined the role of a lead-off hitter in game two going 4-for-4 and scoring the Bearcats' only run.
In the circle, freshman Kylee Silliman (Fremont, IA/Oskaloosa ) went the distance throwing eight and a third inning of work, allowing four runs on 10 hits and two walks.
Leading off the first with a single, Doggendorf would come around to score following a Lis Klussman sacrifice bunt and eventual wild pitch.
Quincy found the equalizer in the top of the fifth using a pair of singles to tie the game up at 1-1.
Seven innings was not enough to decide a winner, but the Hawks' bats came alive in the ninth. Scoring three runs on four hits, Quincy used a pair of singles followed by a double to capture the extra inning victory.
