(ST. CHARLES, Mo., Apr. 11) – Strong pitching led McKendree softball (24-17) to a 3-1 non-conference victory over Lindenwood University (16-19) Tuesday night, before falling in game two, 7-2.
Senior infielder Rachel Hastings (Forsyth, Ill./Maroa-Forsyth ) used a 4-for-6 plate appearance, going 3-for-3 in game two, to extend her hitting streak to five games. Hastings recorded an RBI in game one, while using a double in game two driving in the Bearcats' only runs.
Senior outfielder Jamie Doggendorf (Dittmer, Mo./Northwest) continued to put her name at the top of the record books. With a stolen base in game one, Doggendorf set a new single-season record with 27 stolen bases breaking her previous total set last season.
Game one: McKendree 3, Lindenwood 1
Doggendorf displayed the offensive side of her game going 3-for-4 at the plate and scoring once, which moves her into a tie for first on the all-time runs scored list.
The duo of freshman Kylee Silliman (Fremont, IA/Oskaloosa ) and sophomore Maci Ingram (Woodlawn, Ill./Nashville Community ) dominated the rubber match. Silliman (10-6) in four innings of work allowed one run on four hits and two strikeouts. Tuesday's start also marks the fifth game in a row that Silliman has not allowed a walk. Ingram out of the pen, threw three innings of no-hit ball and stuck out five while collecting her fourth save of the year.
The Bearcats jumped on top early as Liz Klussman (Washington, Mo./Washington) sent a triple down the right field line to score Doggendorf. Klussman moved up 60 feet, extending the Bearcats lead on a single up the middle of the bat of Hastings.
Lindenwood responded cutting the McKendree lead in half, following back-to-back-to-back singles in the first.
The bottom half of the Bearcat lineup helped produce another run in the second. Rebecca Franke (Trenton, Ill./Wesclin) led off the inning with a single and moved over to second on an Erica Schuelke (Germantown, Wis./West Bend) sacrifice bunt. Doggendorf's single put runners at the corners allowing Sara Radae (Edwardsville, Ill./Edwardsville ) to drive in Franke.
With a 3-1 lead, Silliman and Ingram shut down the Lions' offense in the final five innings, allowing just one hit.
Game two: Lindenwood 7, McKendree 2
The host Lions responded back in game two with a strong showing at the plate. Lindenwood got the best of starter Hannah Murphy (O'Fallon, MO/Fort Zumwalt North ) early, plating a pair of runs in the first and third inning.
Holly Magre (Festus, Mo./St. Pius X) with a rare appearance out of the bullpen, proved to be no barrier for the Lions offense. Plating three more runs in the fourth, Lindenwood raced out to an early 7-0 lead.
The Bearcats denied the Lions of a shutout with a pair of runs in the sixth. Hastings recorded a two-out double allowing pinch-runners Tylin Stephens (Blue Springs, Mo./Blue Springs ) and Sydne Bryant (Danville, Ill./Schlarman Academy) to score.
McKendree is back in action Friday, April 14 traveling to University of Indianapolis for a Great Lakes Valley Conference doubleheader. First pitch is set for noon eastern time.
