(SPRINGFIELD,Mo., Apr 24) – Strong offense and pitching led McKendree softball (30-19, 16-10 GLVC) to its 30th win of the season, capping off a 12-game road trip with a sweep over Drury University (19-32, 6-20 GLVC). The offense used a pair of multiple run-scoring innings to take the opener 7-1, before strong underclass pitching recorded a game two shutout, 2-0.
Senior infielder Rachel Hastings (Forsyth, Ill./Maroa-Forsyth ) showed off the offensive skills going 5-for-6, including a 4-for-4 performance in game one. Hastings recorded a pair of doubles, while driving in three runs and a .857 on-base percentage. Jamie Doggendorf (Dittmer, Mo./Northwest) continued to show off her skills as the best base runner in the GLVC. Swiping there bags in game one and one in game two, she reached 40 stolen bases on the year.
Game one: McKendree 7, Drury 1
Senior designated player Brooke Gajewski (Kronenwetter, Wis./D.C. Everest) became an RBI machine hitting in the sixth hole. Gajewski displayed a 3-for4 performance, tallying a run, homerun and three RBI.
Right-hander Holly Magre (Festus, Mo./St. Pius X) (15-7) went the distance inside the circle, hurling six innings of work. Magre allowed one run on five hits, while walking two and striking out seven.
The Bearcats' offensive finished the way they started, with the bats on fire. McKendree used a four-run first inning to set the tone. Hastings RBI double lead to a spree of runs. Gajewski capped off McKendree's first plate appearance, sending a homer over the right field wall.
Drury scratched a run across in the fourth cutting the Bearcat lead to 4-1. In the fifth, the Panthers put a runner in scoring position, following a McKendree error. Magre worked out of the jam forcing a lineout to Hastings, who caught the runner at first off the bag to complete the rare inning-ending unassisted double play.
Following five scoreless innings, McKendree woke up the bats plating three runs in the seventh. Stringing together hits were Doggendorf, Hastings, Rebecca Franke (Trenton, Ill./Wesclin), Gajewski and Megan Radae (Edwardsville, Ill./Edwardsville ). Freshman Hanna Murphy entered the game as a reliever, recording a pair of strikeouts to end the game.
Game two: McKendree 2, Drury 0
Freshman Kylee Silliman (Fremont, IA/Oskaloosa ) (12-6) and sophomore Maci Ingram (Woodlawn, Ill./Nashville Community ) combined for the shutout in the circle. Silliman in 6.1 innings of worked surrendered six hits, allowing one walk and striking one. Ingram collected her seventh save facing the final two batters and recording a game ending strikeout.
The Bearcats didn't need more than five hits in the nightcap to secure the sweep. Hastings and Murphy accounted for two of those hits, while each added a RBI.
Doggendorf led off the game with a single, as Franke's groundout moved Doggendorf into scoring position. Hastings, doing what she does best, recorded her 13th double of the year to give McKendree the early lead.
Working out of jams in the fourth and fifth, the Bearcats collected and insurance run in the sixth. Murphy's single to left field allowed pinch-runner Kyla Haukap (Dawson, Ill./Buffalo Tri-City) to cross the plate.
McKendree returns home to Bearcat Field in the final weekend of GLVC play. The Bearcats will host Rockhurst University on Saturday, April 29. Following Saturday's doubleheader, the program will honor its senior class with a post-game celebration. The Bearcats will close out the regular season Sunday, April 30 hosting William Jewell College. Both games are scheduled for a noon first pitch.
