SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - McKendree University softball went 1-3 for its road games this past weekend as the Bearcats split a doubleheader with Illinois-Springfield and fell to Quincy in both contests. McKendree moves to 17-8 overall and 3-3 against Great Lakes Valley Conference opponents for the 2023 season.
The Bearcats faced Quincy on Saturday afternoon, falling to the Hawks 7-3 in game one and 10-2 in game two of the doubleheader. At the plate, freshman utility player Reagan Cheely led the Bearcats with a 3-4 performance. Cheely drove in one run and accounted for two of the Bearcats' three doubles in the contest while senior infielder Skyler Davis tallied the other double.
Junior Ellie Quaethem started in the circle for game one, allowing seven hits and six runs while striking out five batters. Fellow junior Sophia Koesterer took over in the fourth inning, allowing just three hits and one run.
In game two, McKendree put up just two runs to the Hawks' 10 as senior utility player Olivia Stansbury sent a two-run shot in the fourth inning. Freshman infielder Lauren Harris registered two of the Bearcats' four hits.
On Sunday, McKendree traveled to Springfield for a doubleheader against GLVC foe Illinois-Springfield. The Bearcats split the two games with the Prairie Stars, snagging a 4-2 victory before falling 3-0 in game two.
Davis topped the hits for McKendree in game one, going 2-4 and driving in one run while Cheely sent one over for her first collegiate home run. Quaethem pitched a complete game for McKendree to earn her 11th win of the season with six hits and two runs allowed as well as seven strikeouts.
The Bearcats finished the weekend with a 3-0 loss to the Prairie Stars as Stansbury accounted for the lone hit for McKendree with a double. Koesterer delivered a complete game in the circle, allowing nine hits, three runs, and striking out three on the day.
Coming up, the Bearcats will host two GLVC contests this weekend. William Jewell comes to Bearcat Field for a doubleheader on Saturday starting at 12 p.m. followed by another doubleheader on Sunday against Truman State at 12 p.m.