SMYRNA, Tenn. | Cedar Stone Park - McKendree University softball (2-3) closed out its season-opening weekend at the Music City Invitational down in Tennessee on Sunday, splitting the day, after dropping a pair on Saturday but opening the season with a victory on Friday. The Bearcats defeated Division II newcomer Thomas More, 1-0, but fell to Kentucky Wesleyan, 4-3, on Sunday afternoon. The Bearcats fought hard in two one-run contests on Saturday, falling to Tiffin, 5-4, and UW-Parkside, 3-2. McKendree is back on the road for another tournament this upcoming weekend at the
Independence Bank Blue Bridge Battle in Evansville, Indiana at Deaconess Sports Park.
Saturday, February 17 | vs. Tiffin
The Bearcats looked to keep the momentum from their season-opening win on Friday, but struggled in the initial innings on Saturday. Tiffin managed to go up 5-0 by the end of the fifth inning with three coming via home run in the third inning.
McKendree pushed back in their last chance, the top of the seventh, scoring four runs but falling short in the end. The squad totaled 11 hits on the day with nine batters reaching via base knocks.
Senior hurler
Ellie Quaethem (1-1) struck out five in the effort but received the loss in the circle.
Saturday, February 17 | vs. UW-Parkside
McKendree battled to recover in the late game on Saturday, going up 1-0 in the first inning over the Rangers. Parkside tied the game in the second inning which was then answered by the Bearcats in the fifth, where McKendree grabbed the lead, 2-1.
UW-Parkside scored two in the bottom of the sixth inning, taking a 3-2 advantage. McKendree was unable to tack on extra runs in the top of the seventh, with the Rangers taking the game.
The Bearcats tallied just three hits but grabbed six walks during the contest.
Sunday, February 18 | vs. Thomas More
McKendree opened the third and final day of the Music City Invitational searching to get back on track, beginning with the Saints of TMU. The Bearcats and Saints were scoreless until the fifth inning when junior outfielder
Heaven Lawrence put up a triple before scoring on an error by the catcher. McKendree held its 1-0 advantage through the end of the game.
Two Bearcats added multiple hits to the victory with two for Lawrence and two for junior infielder
Sarah Roth. Quaethem (2-1) collected her second complete game and win in the contest, tossing 10 strikeouts in her effort.
Sunday, February 18 | vs. Kentucky Wesleyan
The Bearcats looked to end the weekend on a high note, facing off against KWC to close out the tournament. McKendree had to make a comeback in the final contest as the Panthers led 1-0 after the second inning. After tying the game in the top of the third, KWC once again took the lead, firing three runs in the bottom half of the same inning.
The Bearcats tallied two runs in the top of the sixth as sophomore infielder
Lauren Harris knocked a double before senior infielder
Reagan Cheely added a single to drive in a run. The comeback effort fell just short, as KWC held off the McKendree offense late.
UP NEXT | Independence Bank Blue Bridge Battle - Evansville, Ind. / Deaconess Sports Park
February 23 | 2PM vs. Ashland
February 23 | 4PM vs. Trevecca Nazarene
February 24 | 12PM vs. Lincoln (MO)
February 24 | 2PM vs. Northwood
February 25 | 10AM vs. Kentucky Wesleyan
February 25 | 12PM vs. Alabama-Huntsville
