(ST. LOUIS, Mo., March 8) – Junior
Andrew Yancik (Glen Carbon, IL/Edwardsville High School) set a new career high in strikeouts with 14 in McKendree's 13-2 victory over Maryville in Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) action on Sunday afternoon. The total also sets a new McKendree record during the Division-II era.
The Bearcats advance to 6-8 overall and 2-1 in GLVC competition. Next up is a midweek matchup at Illinois-Springfield in non-conference play. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00pm in Springfield.
McKendree wasted no time, putting up four runs in the top of the first. Junior
Austin Francis (Dupo, IL/Dupo High School) got the offense started with a solo home run, Junior
Jordan Richardson (O'Fallon, IL/O'Fallon Township High School) followed up with a two-run double to score seniors
Chance Foss (Wood River, IL/Roxana High School) and
Cal Kossina (Millstadt, IL/Belleville West High School). With two outs, freshman
Joseph Copeland (Glen Carbon, IL/Edwardsville High School) singled to center, scoring Richardson to put the Bearcats up 4-0 after one inning.
The Bearcats strung together a three-run third inning, led by a two RBI double by senior
Bryce Emery (Harrisburg, IL/Harrisburg High School). Junior outfielder
Ryan Hutchinson (Sorento,IL/Greenville High School) added in another run on a double to score
Brendan Hostettler (Chatham,IL/Glenwood High School). Richardson added in his third RBI on a single to score Francis in the fourth inning. Maryville would scratch across a run in the bottom half to counter back, still trailing the Bearcats 8-1.
Hutchinson doubled in another run in the fifth and Francis followed up with another double to score a run, giving the Bearcats a 10-1 lead. In the eighth, Hostettler scored on a passed ball and Maryville added in a run in the bottom half as McKendree carried an 11-2 lead into the ninth.
Continuing the offense in the ninth, Richardson singled in two runs, capping off a 13-run outing for the Bearcats.
On the mound, Yancik amassed six multiple strikeout innings, punching out the side once in the fourth. In total, he totaled 13 strikeouts through seven innings, allowing just two hits.