(LEBANON, Ill., March 2)—The McKendree University baseball team was defeated Saturday afternoon by Quincy University in the final game of a three-game series at Hypes Field, 6-2.
 
Two Quincy hurlers combined to toss a two-hitter and grab the series win against the Bearcats. The two teams had split a doubleheader on Friday, with McKendree winning the first contest 4-3 before the Hawks nabbed a 6-4 decision in the nightcap.
 
McKendree is now 2-7 on the year and will hit the road for its next four contests, beginning with a single game Tuesday at William Jewell College. First pitch between the Bearcats and Cardinals is set for noon in Liberty, Mo.
 
Junior Bryce Emery (Harrisburg, IL/Harrisburg) provided the scoring punch for McKendree on Saturday with a two-run single in the fifth inning. Senior infielder Drake Hampton (Godfrey, IL/Alton) delivered the Bearcats' other hit in the same frame, a leadoff single.
 
Quincy (7-2) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning before adding single runs in the third and fourth innings along with another two-run outburst in the top of the fifth to extend its margin to 6-0. McKendree was then able to break through on the Hawks' starter, Nick Stroud, who had not allowed a hit through four innings.
 
After his leadoff single broke up Stroud's no-hit bid, Hampton proceeded to steal second base. Junior outfielder Jordan Richardson (O'Fallon, IL/O'Fallon) drew a walk before sophomore catcher Connor McCormick (Manteno, IL/Manteno) advanced the runners into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Three pitches later, Emery stepped in and delivered his two-run single up the middle to plate Hampton and Richardson to get the Bearcats within four runs.
 
Freshman right-hander Ryan Vogt (Ava, IL/Trico) was the pitcher of record for McKendree. In three innings of work, Vogt allowed three earned runs on four hits with two walks and two strikeouts.