KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – The Bearcats opened up GLVC play this weekend in northeast Missouri as they battled Truman State University over a four-game series March 9^th through the 11^th. McKendree took game two of the series by the score of 10-6, but fell in the other three games 9-8, 3-1 and 13-5.

Game 1 – March 9^th

The Bearcat offense started strong in the opening game of the series with a Brody Macak three-run home run that brought Brandon Roth and Michael Paule home to make it 3-0. After TSU got a run in the bottom half of the inning, McKendree scored on a wild pitch in the top of the 3^rd to make it 4-1.

The Bulldogs put up four spots in the 4^th and 6^th innings to make it a 9-4 game. In the top of the 7^th, Paule hit a two-run home run that scored Joey Kossina to bring the game to 9-6. Kaid Muth made it a one run ball game in the top of the 8^th with his two-run blast which scored Noah Nelson.

In the top of the 9^th, the Bearcats were able to get two runners on base with two outs, but a fly out to centerfield would end the game.

Stat Leaders

Michael Paule: 2 for 3, HR, 2 RBIs, 3 runs, 2 BBs

Brody Macak: 1 for 4, HR, 3 RBIs, run, BB

Kaid Muth: 1 for 3, HR, 2 RBIs, run, BB

Game 2 – March 10^th

The second game of the series saw McKendree score eight of its ten runs in one inning and that was enough to get the win.

In the top of the 2^nd inning, the Bearcats sent 11 batters to the plate as they scored 8 runs on only five hits. After a Nelson infield single, Kaid Muth hit his second two-run blast of the weekend to get the scoring started. With two runners on, Kyle Czarnecki singled to centerfield which scored Chyran Cruse to make it 3-0. With the Bearcats up 4-0 and the bases loaded, Noah Nelson hit a grand slam to left field to give McKendree the 8-0 lead.

TSU scored two in the bottom of the 2^nd, but Kaid Muth belted his second home run, and third of the weekend to make it 10-2 Bearcats through 3.5 innings.

The Bulldogs hit two more home runs in the fourth and fifth innings, but that would cap the scoring.

Keegan McCarty went 5 innings in the start to pick up the win and Derek Galdoni went an inning and a third to register his second save of the season, while striking out three.

Stat Leaders

Noah Nelson: 2 for 4, HR, 4 RBIs, 2 runs

Kaid Muth: 2 for 4: 2 HRs, 4 RBIs, 2 runs

Game 3 – March 10^th

The third game of the four-game set was more of a pitchers' duel than the other three games. TSU jumped out to a 3-0 lead through four innings.

The Bearcats picked up their lone run in the top of the 5^th on a Czarnecki fielder's choice to score Muth.

Trey Cole went the distance in the loss, striking out 5, while allowing 3 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks.

Stat Leaders

Chyran Cruse: 1 for 2, HBP

Brandon Roth: 1 for 3

Michael Paule: 1 for 3

Game 4 – March 11^th

Looking for the series split, McKendree jumped out to a 4-0 lead through 4.5 innings. It started with Brandon Roth reaching on an error by the 3^rd baseman to score Michael Paule and Joey Kossina. Kyle Czarnecki singled to left field that scored Roth to make it 3-0. In the top of the 5^th, Harrison Toone singled to right center to score Noah Nelson which made it 4-0.

From that point forward, it was all Bulldogs as they scored 13 unanswered runs, including 7 in the bottom of the 7^th. Noah Nelson added a home run in the top of the 9^th to end the scoring.

Stat Leaders

Joey Kossina: 3 for 5, run, SB

Michael Paule: 2 for 4, run, SB

Noah Nelson: 1 for 4, HR, RBI, 2 runs

McKendree will return home on March 15^th through the 17^th as they host the University of Indianapolis Greyhounds for a four-game series.