(O'FALLON, Ill., Feb. 22) – The McKendree University softball team split its first doubleheader with Saginaw Valley Friday Afternoon, with the Bearcats winning the first game 8-6 courtesy of a Jenny Homann (Freeburg, IL/Freeburg High School) walk-off homerun and falling in the second game 6-8.
 
The first game saw the Bearcats down 6-4 with just the bottom of the seventh remaining, where freshman Whitney Boschert (Wentzville, MO/Francis Howell High School) sent a line drive to right field, bringing a runner in and getting herself to second base. Next, sophomore Miranda Gajewski (Kronenwetter, WI/D.C. Everest) hit a single and in return sent Homann to the batter's box. The junior then cranked a shot over the center field fence, scoring three RBIs and sealing the victory for the Bearcats.
 
In the second game, the Cardinals got off to an early lead by scoring five runs and blanking McKendree through the first three innings. The Bearcats came back in the fifth and sixth innings to take the lead back from Saginaw Valley 6-5. The Cardinals answered in the top of the seventh scoring three runs, and despite a ferocious effort, the Bearcats were unable to get on the board in the final inning of play.
 
Softball will resume action on Sunday, February 24 when they take on Saginaw Valley once more in another doubleheader.