The McKendree University softball team split its doubleheader against Maryville in St. Louis on Friday.
 
The Bearcats won the first game 2-0 and lost the second game 5-4 in the 11^th inning. 
 
The split makes the Bearcats record 21-9 with an 18-6 record in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.
 
Game One
 
The Bearcats didn't get on the board until the top of the fifth inning where Kelsey Sachs hit an infield single to score Taylor Lowry. 
 
Jenny Homann would add an insurance run with an RBI double scoring Caitlyn Lowry.
 
Ellie Quaethem started on the mound for the Bearcats. She pitched in 6 1/3 innings, gave up zero runs off four hits, and struck out nine batters. Her record improves to 9-4 on the season. 
 
Miranda Gajewski pitched in the final 2/3 innings and picked up her second save of the season.
 
Game Two
 
The Bearcats got on the board first with a Paige Hayden RBI single scoring Gajewski. 
 
After the Saints tied the game in the second inning, the Bearcats put up three runs in the fifth inning courtesy of a Shelby Summer fielder's choice scoring Taylor Lowry, Natalie Shellert scoring on a wild pitch, and Summer scoring on a wild pitch.
 
The Saints would rally back with a two run sixth inning, and eventually scored the game winning run in the bottom of the 11^th inning. 
 
Gajewski started on the mound for the Bearcats. She pitched in eight innings, gave up four runs (two earned) off eight hits, and struck out six batters. Quaethem would pitch the final 2 2/3 innings, gave up one run (zero earned) off one hit and struck out four batters. She was credited with the loss and is now 9-5.
 
Coaches Quote
 
"We did a good job of making an adjustment in game 1 to score some runs. We beat ourselves in game 2 with some mistakes. There were several things we can control that need to be better, so we just focus on that moving into Sunday," head coach Ashley Fleming said.
 
Up Next
 
The Bearcats will be back in action on Sunday, April 25 against Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo. The doubleheader starts at 12 p.m. with the second game following short after.