LEBANON, Ill. - McKendree University softball snagged its first two conference wins of the season against Great Lakes Valley Conference foe Lewis University on Tuesday afternoon at Bearcat Field. The Bearcats improved to 16-5 overall and 2-0 in GLVC play with the doubleheader sweep over the Flyers.  

In game one, the Bearcats run-ruled the Flyers 13-1 as junior Ellie Quaethem pitched the complete game for McKendree, allowing just one run and two hits. Quaethem recorded five strikeouts in the victory to earn her 10th win in the circle for the season.  

At the plate, all Bearcat batters registered one or more hits in the contest as McKendree posted nine total doubles. Sophomore infielder Heaven Lawrence led off the game with a solo homerun to left center while senior utility Olivia Stansbury sent a two-run homerun to center field in the second inning. Freshman infielder Lauren Harris and Stansbury led McKendree with three RBI each as Harris accounted for two of the Bearcats' nine doubles. Altogether, McKendree tallied 16 hits.  

In game two, junior Sophia Koesterer spent all seven innings in the circle for the Bearcats to earn her fourth win of the season. Koesterer delivered two strikeouts, allowing seven hits and leading McKendree to its eighth shutout for the year as they defeated the Flyers 5-0.  

Six Bearcats posted a hit in the second game of the doubleheader including a three-run homer from junior outfielder Jordan Sapp in the bottom of the first inning. Stansbury and freshman utility Reagan Cheely accounted for the two remaining RBI of the contest.  

Up next, McKendree will be on the road at Quincy on Saturday, March 24 for a doubleheader starting at 12 p.m. McKendree's doubleheader at Indianapolis scheduled for Wednesday, March 22 has been rescheduled for Friday, April 7 due to impending weather conditions.