(LEBANON, Ill., March 7)—The McKendree University softball team registered a doubleheader split Wednesday at home against Saginaw Valley State University. The Bearcats dropped the opener to the Cardinals 12-4 before rebounding with a 5-3 victory in game two.
 
Sisters Miranda and Brooke Gajewski (Kronenwetter, Wis./D.C. Everest) both played important roles in the twinbill for McKendree. Miranda, a freshman, tossed a complete-game six-hitter and shut down Saginaw Valley over the final four innings to push her record to 7-0 in the circle this season. Brooke Gajewski (Kronenwetter, Wis./D.C. Everest), a senior, went 5-for-6 at the plate, including a perfect 3-for-3 in the nightcap.
 
McKendree moves to 11-4 overall with the split. The Bearcats and Cardinals will meet again Thursday at Bearcat field in another doubleheader. First pitch has been moved up an hour to 2 p.m.
 
Senior catcher Rebecca Franke (Trenton, Ill./Wesclin) had four hits and three RBI on Wednesday for McKendree, while freshman infielder Haegen Boyer (Eddyville, IA/Eddyville) added two RBI and a pair of runs scored for the Bearcats.
 
In game two, McKendree took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning thanks to a run-scoring single off the bat of sophomore Caitlyn Lowry (St. Louis, MO/Notre Dame). After Saginaw Valley (5-5) tied the contest in the top of the second, the Bearcats answered in the bottom of the frame. Junior Sara Radae (Edwardsville, Ill./Edwardsville) led off with a single and came around to score on a two-out single by Franke. The Cardinals took their first lead of the contest at 3-2 with a two-run outburst in the top of the third inning.
 
Brooke Gajewski (Kronenwetter, Wis./D.C. Everest) opened the bottom of the third inning with a base hit. Junior Megan Radae (Edwardsville, Ill./Edwardsville) came on as a pinch-runner and advanced to third base following a passed ball and wild pitch. Radae then scored the tying run on an RBI groundout by freshman Konnor Arrowood (Fulton, MO/South Callaway) to knot the contest at 3-3.
 
McKendree took the lead for good with a two-run fourth inning. Boyer drew a leadoff walk and moved to second on a groundout. Franke stepped in next and delivered an RBI single to plate Boyer with the go-ahead run. Miranda Gajewski (Kronenwetter, WI/D.C. Everest) then reached on a fielder's choice that forced Franke at second base. Brooke Gajewski (Kronenwetter, Wis./D.C. Everest) produced her third hit of the day, a single to right-center. Miranda Gajewski (Kronenwetter, WI/D.C. Everest) reached third on the play and came around to score on a Saginaw Valley error to stretch the McKendree lead to 5-3.
 
From there, Miranda Gajewski (Kronenwetter, WI/D.C. Everest) took control. She retired the final seven batters to notch her seventh win of the season.
 
In game one, Saginaw Valley took a 2-0 lead in the first before McKendree answered with three runs in the bottom of the second inning. The Bearcats loaded the bases on back-to-back singles by Brooke Gajewski (Kronenwetter, Wis./D.C. Everest) and Franke followed by a walk to Arrowood. Three batters later, Boyer lined a two-run single to tie things at 2-2. Sophomore Abbie Bailey (Tinley Park, IL/Andrew) stepped in next and produced a run-scoring single to give McKendree a 3-2 advantage.
 
Saginaw Valley responded with three runs in the third and six in the top of the fifth to take the lead for good at 11-3. McKendree plated its final run of the contest in the bottom of the fifth thanks to an RBI single by Franke.