(O'FALLON, Ill., Feb. 24) – The McKendree University softball team split its second doubleheader of the weekend with Saginaw Valley Sunday Afternoon, with the Bearcats dominating the first game 9-1 and falling in the second game 7-1. With the win, head coach Ashley Fleming recorded her 100^th career win at the helm for the Bearcats.
 
The first game of the day saw the bearcats explode on the scoresheet early, sending in seven of their nine runs in just the first two innings. Saginaw answered with one run in the third but was unable to keep McKendree off the board as they ended the game early via run differential in the fifth inning. Sophomore Miranda Gajewski (Kronenwetter, WI/D.C. Everest) was dominant at the pitcher's circle, throwing nine strikeouts and allowing just two hits in five innings of play. Offensively, Sophomore Shelby Summer (Washington, IL/Washington) led the Bearcat offensive charge with three runs scored and one RBI.
 
The second game did not see McKendree on the board until late in the sixth inning. The Cardinals had scored seven runs through their first six innings, three of which came in the fifth inning alone.
 
Softball is now 5-7 on the year and will resume head back out on the diamond Saturday, March 2 as they take on the University of Central Missouri in a doubleheader that will serve as the Bearcat's official home opener in Lebanon.