(LEBANON, Ill., March 15)—The McKendree University softball team parlayed a six-run first inning in game one to a doubleheader split Thursday afternoon at Southwest Baptist University. The Bearcats rolled to a 6-1 victory in the opener before being edged by Southwest Baptist in the nightcap, 1-0.
 
McKendree moves to 15-6 on the year and will step back into Great Lakes Valley Conference play Saturday at home against the University of Indianapolis, which is ranked No. 16 in the latest National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division II poll. First pitch is slated for noon.
 
Freshman Miranda Gajewski (Kronenwetter, WI/D.C. Everest) played a big role in the Bearcats' game one victory against Southwest Baptist. She produced the big hit in the six-run first inning for McKendree, a two-run single that opened the scoring. Gajewski also tossed a complete-game five-hitter against the visiting Bearcats, striking out five to move to 9-1 on the season.
 
All of McKendree's runs for the afternoon came in the first inning of game one. Sophomore outfielder Abbie Bailey (Tinley Park, IL/Andrew) opened the frame with a walk and moved to third on a double by senior catcher Rebecca Franke (Trenton, Ill./Wesclin). After senior Brooke Gajewski (Kronenwetter, Wis./D.C. Everest) drew a walk to load the bases, Miranda Gajewski (Kronenwetter, WI/D.C. Everest) followed with her two-run single. An error on the play enabled Brooke Gajewski (Kronenwetter, Wis./D.C. Everest) to score from first base to give McKendree a 3-0 advantage.
 
Sophomore Hannah Murphy (O'Fallon, MO/Fort Zumwalt North) brought home Miranda Gajewski (Kronenwetter, WI/D.C. Everest) with an RBI single for a 4-0 advantage. Junior Sarah Radae produced a run-scoring single to extend the lead to five runs before freshman infielder Haegen Boyer (Eddyville, IA/Eddyville) capped the outburst with an RBI single.
 
From there, Miranda Gajewski (Kronenwetter, WI/D.C. Everest) held Southwest Baptist at bay. She retired 10 of the final 11 batters she faced to finish off the game one victory.
 
The nightcap turned into a pitcher's duel between McKendree sophomore Kylee Silliman (Fremont, IA/Oskaloosa) and Southwest Baptist's Claire Miller. Southwest Baptist (8-13) scratched out an unearned run in the top of the first inning, and Miller made the lead stand up. She allowed just one hit to McKendree, a fourth-inning single to Brooke Gajewski (Kronenwetter, Wis./D.C. Everest). Miller walked two batters and fanned eight in her complete-game effort to notch her ninth victory of the year.