The McKendree University softball team score a season high 11 runs and split a doubleheader against the University of Illinois-Springfield on Saturday in Chatham, Ill.
 
UIS took the first game 3-2 but the Bearcats won the second game 11-2 in a five-inning mercy rule.
 
Game One
 
Game one saw the Bearcats jump out to a 2-0 lead courtesy of a Caitlyn Lowry (St. Louis, MO/Notre Dame) RBI single scoring Shelby Summer (Washington, IL/Washington) in the second inning and a fielder's choice scoring Miranda Gajewski (Kronenwetter, WI/D.C. Everest) in the third inning. Emily King (Columbia, MO/Hickman) was credited with the RBI.
 
UIS would rally back with a three-run sixth inning to put them in the lead. McKendree would put up a fight in the top of the seventh inning, putting runners on first and third with two outs, but were unable to tie the game. 
 
Lowry led the way going 3-of-4 with three singles and an RBI.
 
Ellie Quaethem (Washington, MO/Washington) would start on the mound for McKendree. She pitched six innings, gave up three earned runs off five hits and struck out four batters. She was credited with the loss and is 1-3 on the season.
 
Game Two
 
The Bearcats got their offense going early with a three-run home run from Jenny Homann (Freeburg, IL/Freeburg) in the first inning scoring Lowry and Gajewski. 
 
In the second inning, UIS walked in a run with the bases loaded, Shelby Summer (Washington, IL/Washington) drove in Lowry off a single, and Emily King (Columbia, MO/Hickman) drove in Homann and Gajewski on an RBI single to make the game 7-0.
 
After UIS scored two runs in the bottom of the second, the Bearcats would proceed to add three runs in the third inning and one run in the fifth inning. 
 
The second game's top performers include Bailey Meritt, who went 3-for-3 in the batter's box, and Homann, who drive in four runs.
 
On the mound was Gajewski. She pitched in four innings, gave up two runs off five hits and struck out three batters. She was credited with the win and is now 3-2 on the season.
 
With the doubleheader split, the Bearcats are now 4-6 (3-3 GLVC) on the season.
 
Coaches Quote
"I was happy to see our bats put some runs together the second game. We have the potential to make that happen, we just have to be more consistent. We were in a position to win two today, but I'm happy we came back and took game two," head coach Ashley Fleming said.
 
Next
 
The Bearcats are back in action tomorrow when they travel to Quincy, Ill. to take on Quincy University in a doubleheader. Game one of the doubleheaders starts at 12 p.m. and game two starts at 2 p.m.