(LEBANON, Ill., April 18)—The McKendree University baseball team collected 14 hits, including a season-high three home runs at Hypes Field, to post a 14-10 victory Tuesday afternoon at home in non-conference play over the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
 
McKendree moves to 12-25 on the year and will host Saint Joseph's College over the weekend for a four-game Great Lakes Valley Conference series. The Bearcats and Pumas will play doubleheaders Saturday and Sunday with first pitch set for noon each day.
 
Senior infielder Isaac Fisher (Washington, IL/Washington) led the offensive surge for McKendree with two hits and five runs batted in, including a home run. Junior outfielder Brad Groleau (Peru, IL/St. Bede Academy) also homered among his two hits while he added three RBI. Junior infielder Andrew Aydt (Wildwood, MO/Eureka), sophomore infielder Luke Johnson (Barrington, IL/Barrington) and junior infielder Jeff Wetzler (Newburgh, IN/Castle) each chipped in with a pair of hits. Johnson scored four times against the Tritons while Wetzler crossed the plate three times in the win.
 
After UMSL scored a run in the top of the first to take an early 1-0 lead, McKendree countered by scoring five times in the bottom of the frame to build a 5-1 advantage. Johnson led off with a double before Wetzler drew a walk. After a sacrifice bunt by Fisher moved the runners into scoring position, Junior catcher Matt DeLaVega (Lincolnwood, IL/Niles West) was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Groleau stepped in next and ripped a two-run single to right field to put the Bearcats in front at 2-1.
 
Aydt followed with an RBI single to plate DeLaVega for a 3-1 lead. A sacrifice fly by Bodine and a run-scoring double by Cody Hall (Harrisburg, IL/Harrisburg) capped the five-run outburst for McKendree.
 
The Tritons scored a run in the top of the second to get within 5-2 when McKendree added on to its lead with two runs in the bottom of the second inning. Johnson started the rally once again with a walk before Wetzler doubled to advance Johnson to third base. Fisher came to the plate and delivered a two-run single to center field to score both Johnson and Wetzler to extend the Bearcats' lead to 7-2.
 
In the fourth inning, Missouri-St. Louis got within 7-3 before Fisher blasted a two-run home run over the left-field fence to give McKendree a 9-3 lead. The round-tripper was the second of the season for Fisher. After UMSL scored in the top of the fifth to pull within 9-4, DeLaVega provided a two-run single in the bottom of the frame to stretch the Bearcats' lead to 11-4. The Tritons then put together a four-run rally in the top of the sixth to slash the McKendree lead to 11-8.
 
Junior outfielder Hayden Bodine (Washington, IL/Washington) drilled a solo shot over the right-field fence with one out in the bottom of the sixth to give the Bearcats a 12-8 lead. The home run was the first of the season for Bodine. UMSL answered with a run in the top of the seventh inning. Johnson led off with a walk and promptly stole second and third base. Fisher then ripped a ball to deep left-center field that was caught at the fence, allowing Johnson to score on the sacrifice fly for a 13-9 advantage.
 
Groleau gave McKendree some insurance in the bottom of the eighth inning when he belted his team-leading fifth home run of the season over the left-center field fence. UMSL scored a run in the top of the ninth, but senior right-hander Matt Henning (Wichita, KS/Bishop Carroll) was able to shut the door to finish off a three-inning save for McKendree. Henning now has a team-leading five saves on the year.
 
Senior right-hander Matt Wasche (Kansas City, MO/Rockhurst) went the first four innings to improve to 4-0 on the season. Wasche allowed two earned runs on five hits over the four innings.