The McKendree University softball team split a pair of games on Sunday to close out the Washburn Invitational. McKendree opened the day with a 4-3 win over Minnesota Crookston and a 9-6 loss to Emporia State University to close out the day.
Game One
After three scoreless innings, the Bearcats would get on the board with
Kelsey Sachs (Troy, MO/Troy Buchanan) scoring on a fielding error and
Taylor Allen (Neepawa, Manitoba, Canada/Neepawa Area Collegiate) scoring on a passed ball. The Bearcats would add two more runs in the fifth inning off of a
Miranda Gajewski (Kronenwetter, WI/D.C. Everest) RBI single and a fielder's choice scoring
Paige Hayden (Independence, MO/Fort Osage).
Minnesota Crookston would attempt a comeback with a three-run sixth inning, but the pitching from Gajewski would be too much for the Golden Eagles.
Caitlyn Lowry (St. Louis, MO/Notre Dame) would lead the way going 2-for-4 with a run scored. Gajewski would pitch a complete game, going seven innings, giving up six hits, three earned runs, two walks, and struck out six batters. She was credited with the win, her first of the season.
Game Two
After Emporia State got off to an 8-1 in the game's first five innings, the Bearcats would go off for five runs in the 6
th inning. Gajewski got it started with a two-run home run, followed by a bases clearing single from
Morgan Andrews (Creal Springs, IL/Marion).
Sidney Larsen (Des Monies, IA/Hoover), Natalie Shellert, and Sachs would score on the play.
The Bearcats efforts would not be enough as Emporia State would add a run in the 7
th inning to secure the win.
Morgan Andrews (Creal Springs, IL/Marion) would lead the way going 2-for-3 with a double and three run's batted in.
Ellie Quaethem (Washington, MO/Washington) started in the circle and went 3 1/3 innings, giving up hits, two earned runs, walked three batters, and struck out three batters.
Next
The Bearcats will open Great Lakes Valley Conference play on the road with a double header against the University of Indianapolis on Friday, March 12 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.