(INDANAPOLIS, Ind., Apr. 14) – A strong seventh inning helped lift McKendree softball (25-18, 11-9 GLVC) past University of Indianapolis (30-14, 11-9 GLVC) in game one of Friday's doubleheader. The 5-0 victory marked the first program win for the Bearcats over UINDY, who received votes in the latest NFCA Top 25 polls. The Greyhounds responded back taking game two, 2-1.
At the plate, sophomore Sara Radae (Edwardsville, Ill./Edwardsville ) went 3-for-7, recording a double and three RBI. Senior Rachel Hastings (Forsyth, Ill./Maroa-Forsyth ) drove in one, while going 4-for-7, extending her hitting streak to seven games.
Scoring in game one, Jamie Doggendorf (Dittmer, Mo./Northwest) set another McKendree softball record, becoming the all-time runs scoring leader crossing the plate 132 times.
Game one: McKendree 5, UINDY 0
Senior right-hander Holly Magre (Festus, Mo./St. Pius X) (12-7) stole the show tossing her fifth shutout of the year. Magre recorded six strikeouts, while allowing a mere two hits.
Radae drove in three of the Bearcats' five runs, using a single in the fifth put the Bearcats on the board first. Radae then sparked a seventh inning rally with a double to left center scoring Doggendorf and Sydne Bryant (Danville, Ill./Schlarman Academy).
Hastings extended McKendree's lead in the top of the seventh with a single to right field scoring Radae. Liz Klussman (Washington, Mo./Washington) added an insurance run scoring Hastings on an RBI groundout to second base.
Game two: UINDY 2, McKendree 1
Junior designated-player Brooke Gajewski (Kronenwetter, Wis./D.C. Everest) led the Bearcats' offense, going 2-for-3 at the plate. Gajewski gave the Bearcats' their only run of the game, sending her seventh home run of the year over the center field wall in the fourth.
In the circle, starter Kylee Silliman (Fremont, IA/Oskaloosa ) drew the no decision in four innings of work. The right-hander surrendered no walks for the sixth start in a row, while allowing one run on two hits. Reliever Maci Ingram (Woodlawn, Ill./Nashville Community ) (2-1) suffered the loss tossing two innings of work, allowing one run and striking out four.
UINDY used a strong fifth inning at the plate to snap their five-game losing streak. A leadoff double resulted in a Bearcat pitching change. Ingram retired the first two hitters she faced, but surrendered a double and a single to give the Greyhounds the lead and victory.
McKendree is back in action tomorrow, April 15 as they take on the Pumas of Saint Joseph's College in Rensselaer, Ind. First pitch is scheduled for noon.
