SAINT LOUIS, Mo. – The Bearcats played two in-region games over the weekend at Maryville University against Hillsdale College and Saginaw Valley State University. McKendree won both games as they defeated HC 7-0 on Friday, March 1st and SVSU 6-3 on Saturday, March 2nd. Entering conference play, the Bearcats have now won six of their previous seven games.
Friday, March 1st vs Hillsdale
In the bottom of the 1st, McKendree struck first on a Brody Macak RBI single to the shortstop to score Michael Paule. After starting pitcher, Jorden Eaton set the Chargers down in order during the top of the 2nd, McKendree plated four more runs in the bottom half of the inning. It started with a Harrison Toone bunt single to third base and Kaid Muth scored on an error by the 3rd basemen. Two batters later, Kyle Czarnecki singled through the left side which scored Toone to make it 3-0. With two outs, Brandon Roth launched a two-run home run to right field that gave McKendree the 5-0 lead.
A few innings later, Joey Kossina hit his second home run of the season, a solo shot to make it 6-0 Bearcats through six. The offense wrapped up with a Kossina sac fly to which made it 7-0.
Eaton picked up his 2nd win of the season going seven innings, allowing four hits and striking out 4. He did not allow a run in the start.
Stat Leaders
Joey Kossina: 1 for 4, HR, 2 RBIs, run
Brandon Roth: 1 for 3, HR, 2 RBIs, run, BB
Saturday, March 2nd vs Saginaw Valley State
The Bearcats battled the Saginaw Valley State Cardinals on Saturday and the team remained hot. Macak doubled to left field in the bottom of the 1st which scored Czarnecki and Kossina. In the bottom of the 2nd, Czarnecki doubled down the left field line to score Muth.
SVSU scored two runs in the top of the 4th to cut the lead to one. Kossina gave McKendree a two run lead as his singled up the middle to score Toone. In the bottom of the 6th, the Bearcats added two more runs to make it a four run lead. Paule was hit by the pitch with bases loaded and Roth reached on an error by the third baseman to score Toone.
SVSU scored a run in the top of the 8th to make it 6-3.
Trey Cole picked up his first win of the year throwing four innings in relief. He struck out four, only allowing three hits and one unearned run.
Stat Leaders
Joey Kossina: 2 for 3, 2B, RBI, run, BB, SB
Kyle Czarnecki: 2 for 4, 2B, RBI, run, SB
Harrison Toone: 2 for 3, 2 runs, SB, BB
