(LEBANON, Ill., Mar. 31) – McKendree University softball (18-13, 5-5 GLVC) split a twin bill with Bellarmine University (15-19, 3-7 GLVC) Friday afternoon at Bearcat Field. Using seven hits in game one, McKendree came out on top 2-1, before being shutout in game two 1-0.

At the plate, sophomore Sara Radae (Edwardsville, Ill./Edwardsville ) had a standout day for the Bearcats going 3-for-6, which included a double and her first triple of the year.

Game one: McKendree 2, Bellarmine 1

Senior right-hander Holly Magre (Festus, Mo./St. Pius X) (11-5) went the distance in game one, picking up her 11th win of the year and 10th complete game. Allowing no earned runs, Magre struck on seven and walked one.

Junior designated player Brooke Gajewski (Kronenwetter, Wis./D.C. Everest) went 2-for-3 at the plate driving in one run for the Bearcats.

Senior outfielder Liz Klussman (Washington, Mo./Washington) helped give the Bearcats the win with her second home run of the year.

McKendree struck first in game one as Gajewski singled to left field driving in Jamie Doggendorf (Dittmer, Mo./Northwest) from second base giving the Bearcats a 1-0 lead after three innings of play.

Bellarmine responded back in the top of the fifth using a lead-off double by Melissa Hammer, who scored on an ensuing Bearcat error to tie the game up at 1-1.

Klussman in the bottom of the fifth gained the lead back for McKendree with a solo shot to left field. Magre retiring the final six hitters she faced kept the Bearcat lead in tack for the 2-1 win.

Game two: Bellarmine 1, McKendree 0

Freshman right-hander Kylee Silliman (Fremont, IA/Oskaloosa ) (6-5) matched her single-game strikeout record of seven in the game two rubber match. Allowing just four hits and one walk, Silliman surrendered the only run of the game.

McKendree had its' opportunities to strike first in the fourth. A pair of singles by Rebecca Franke (Trenton, Ill./Wesclin) and Dani Schoenbacher (Tamaroa, Ill./Pinckeyville) followed by a four-pitch walk to Hanna Branch (Kirkwood, Mo./Kirkwood) proved to be not enough as the Bellarmine defense worked out of the jam.

Silliman took a no-hit bid into the sixth before allowing a pair of hits, but working out of the jam.  

In the seventh, Bellarmine's bats came alive as the Kinghts sparked a two-out rally. McKendree allowed the Knights to put a runner in scoring position following a drop-third strike wild pitch. Katie Stamper capitalized for the Knights driving in the only run of the game.

McKendree is back in action Saturday, April 1 as they take on No.10 Southern Indiana. Game one of the doubleheader is scheduled for noon.