(KANSAS CITY, Mo., April 26)—The McKendree University baseball team nearly overcame a 3-0 deficit in the closing innings of its Great Lakes Valley Conference series opener Friday night at Rockhurst University before the host Hawks hung on for a 3-2 victory.
 
The Bearcats put up single runs in the seventh and eighth innings and got the potential tying and go-ahead runs on base in the top of the ninth inning, but Rockhurst wiggled out of the jam to collect the win. McKendree and Rockhurst will close out their weekend series with a doubleheader on Saturday in Kansas City, with first pitch set for noon.
 
Senior first baseman Andrew Aydt (Wildwood, MO/Eureka) rapped out a game-high three hits to pace the McKendree offensive attack. Aydt also scored the Bearcats' first run of the contest. Junior outfielder Jordan Richardson (O'Fallon, IL/O'Fallon) added a pair of doubles against the Hawks, while senior outfielder Drew Reich (Charlestown, IN/Charlestown) and junior infielder Bryce Emery (Harrisburg, IL/Harrisburg) each collected an RBI in the contest.
 
Rockhurst (11-31, 6-22 GLVC) jumped out to its 3-0 lead with two runs in the second inning and another in the third. McKendree (9-34, 6-22 GLVC) began its comeback effort with a two-out rally in the top of the seventh inning. Aydt produced a single before moving to second base on a wild pitch. Reich then brought Aydt around to score with an RBI double to bring the Bearcats within 3-1.
 
In the top of the eighth inning, senior Matt DeLaVega (Lincolnwood, IL/Niles West) led off with a single and moved to second base thanks to a sacrifice bunt by freshman infielder Joseph Costanzo (Kansas City, MO/Rockhurst). After reaching third on a groundout, DeLaVega raced home on an infield single by Emery, trimming the McKendree deficit to 3-2.
 
Aydt opened the top of the ninth with his third hit of the contest, a single down the left field line. Following a Rockhurst pitching changes, Aydt moved to second on a wild pitch. The Hawks recorded the next two outs before DeLaVega worked a walk to put runners at first and second base, but a game-ending fielder's choice snuffed out the McKendree rally.
 
Junior right-hander Jared Timmerman (New Baden, IL/Wesclin)n was charged with the hard-luck loss for McKendree. Timmermann scattered eight hits and allowed three earned runs over six innings of work with two walks and a strikeout. Sophomore right-hander Jacob Reinkemeyer (Wildwood, MO/Eureka) held Rockhurst in check over the final two innings, giving up just one hit with a walk and a strikeout.