(KENOSHA, Wis., Apr. 9) – McKendree softball (23-16, 10-8 GLVC) broke the long eight-series stretch of splits against conference opponents Sunday afternoon. Sweeping Wisconsin-Parkside (13-21, 8-8 GLVC), the Bearcats pulled out a 7-5 win in a marathon game one, before taking the nightcap 8-0.
Having another standout day at the plate, junior Brooke Gajewski (Kronenwetter, Wis./D.C. Everest) went 3-for-6 recording three RBI and a home run in each game. Sophomore Sara Radae (Edwardsville, Ill./Edwardsville ) continued to solidify her role as the number two hitter, going 3-for-7 at the dish, scoring twice and driving in three runs.
Game one: McKendree 7, Wisconsin-Parkside 5 // 9 Innings
McKendree's Jamie Doggendorf (Dittmer, Mo./Northwest) continued to define the role of a lead-off hitter, going 3-for-5 at the plate in a marathon game one.
Right-hander Maci Ingram (Woodlawn, Ill./Nashville Community ) collected her second win of the season out of the bullpen. Tossing six scoreless innings, Ingram allowed five hits while striking out four.
Seven innings were not enough to decide a winner between the two squads. In the ninth, McKendree used a two-out rally, including back-to-back singles by Doggendorf and Radae to secure the victory, 7-5.
McKendree jumped on top early over the Rangers with a four-run second inning. Highlighting the early offensive spree was a solo shot to center by Gajewski to lead off the inning.
Starter Holly Magre (Festus, Mo./St. Pius X) worked out of a jam in the third, but the Rangers got the best of the right-hander in the fourth. UWP plated three runs on just one hit while stranding two runners, cutting the McKendree lead to 4-3.
The Rangers' bats did not stop there, taking the lead in their half of the fourth using a pair of doubles to plate two runs.
A lineup change in the sixth led to a lead-off walk for pinch hitter Hanna Branch (Kirkwood, Mo./Kirkwood). Paige Fleeman (Salem, Ill./Christ Our Rock Lutheran ), pinch hitting for Rebecca Franke (Trenton, Ill./Wesclin), sent a towering double to center allowing Branch to score.
McKendree's defense held strong in extra innings. Using the two-run ninth inning as momentum, Ingram shut down the side following a leadoff single.
Game two: McKendree 8, Wisconsin-Parkside 0 // 5 Innings
At the dish, senior infielder Rachel Hastings (Forsyth, Ill./Maroa-Forsyth ) went 2-for-3, including a two-RBI double in the fifth.
Freshman right-hander Kylee Silliman (Fremont, IA/Oskaloosa ) (9-6) tossed her second shutout of the year, allowing three hits, no walks and three strikeouts.
Game two started as a pitcher's duel, but ended as another offensive day at the office for the Bearcats.
Radae sparked a two-run fourth inning with a leadoff single. Liz Klussman (Washington, Mo./Washington) reached on a fielder's choice, allowing Gajewski to collect her second home run of the day for an early Bearcat lead.
McKendree sent 10 different hitters to the plate in the fifth. Highlighting the six-run inning were RBI singles from Klussman and Dani Schoenbacher (Tamaroa, Ill./Pinckeyville).
McKendree continues its' 12-game road trip Tuesday, April 11 traveling to Lindenwood University for a non-conference doubleheader. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.
