(LEBANON, Ill., March 31)—The McKendree University baseball team dropped an 8-1 decision to Lewis University in the finale of a weather-shortened three-game series Saturday afternoon in Belleville. The Bearcats and Flyers were slated to play a doubleheader Saturday at Whitey Herzog Field, but the second game was canceled after a steady rain during first contest made the field unplayable for the nightcap.
 
McKendree moves to 5-19 overall and 1-6 in Great Lakes Valley Conference action. The Bearcats are scheduled to host Rockhurst University Tuesday for a non-conference doubleheader at Hypes Field. First pitch is at 1 p.m. Visit www.mckbearcats.com for any updates or changes to the schedule.
 
Senior outfielder Grant Anderson provided the offensive on Saturday for McKendree with his first home run of the season, a solo shot down the left-field line leading off the bottom of the fifth inning. Sophomore outfielder Blake Gray had the Bearcats' other hit of the afternoon, a one-out single in the first inning. Lewis starter George Manikas tossed a complete-game two-hitter with two walks and three strikeouts.
 
Freshman right-hander Evan Spears was solid on the mound for McKendree despite being charged with the loss. Spears turned in a quality start by going six innings, allowing three earned runs on seven his with three strikeouts.
 
Lewis (10-14-1, 4-3 GLVC) broke open a scoreless contest with a run in the third inning and two more in the fourth to build a 3-0 advantage. Anderson's solo homer cut the Bearcats' deficit to just two runs before the Flyers sealed the victory with a five-run outburst in the top of the seventh inning.