(HUNTSVILLE, Ala., Feb. 17)—The McKendree University baseball team wrapped up its first series of the 2019 season with a 13-2 loss at the University of Alabama at Huntsville.
 
McKendree moves to 0-3 on the season and is slated to host Saginaw Valley State University for three games beginning on Friday at 2 p.m. The site for the weekend series will be announced early in the week.
 
Senior Levi Brening (Coon Rapids, MN/DuQuoin) had two of the five hits on Sunday against UAH. Freshman infielder Hayden Schaefer (O'Fallon, IL/O'Fallon) added to his strong debut weekend by hitting a solo home run against the Chargers, while senior infielder Drake Hampton (Godfrey, IL/Alton) drove in the other run for the Bearcats.
 
After UAH (5-4) struck first for two runs in the bottom of the second inning, McKendree cut the deficit in half a half inning later. Schaefer stepped to the plate and belted a leadoff home run over the left-center field fence to bring the Bearcats within 2-1. The Chargers pushed their advantage to 5-1 before McKendree scored its final run of the afternoon. In the top of the sixth inning, senior outfielder Drew Reich (Charlestown, IN/Charlestown) struck out but reached first base on a wild pitch. Reich stole second base, moved to third on a single by senior outfielder Corey Chambliss (St. Louis, MO/Oakville) and scored thanks to a sacrifice fly by Hampton.
 
Freshman right-hander Ryan Vogt (Ava, IL/Trico) started the contest and was charged with the loss. In three innings of work Vogt allowed two earned runs on two hits with a pair of walks and three strikeouts.