LEBANON, Ill. | Bearcat Field - McKendree University softball (28-17, 11-7 GLVC) went unbeaten on the weekend with a drubbing of Upper Iowa on Sunday afternoon, beating the Peacocks via run-rule, 8-0 and 12-2, marking three-straight victories in the run-rule manner. Sunday's sweep followed the Saturday sweep of Truman State, 7-6 and 10-2. and The Bearcat bats were on fire with 23 hits on the day, totaling 20 runs while holding defensively from the circle and throughout the field. McKendree has its final road weekend ahead with a trip up to Quincy and Illinois Springfield on April 20 and 21 before finishing the regular season on April 27 and 28 against Southwest Baptist and Drury at Bearcat Field.

Game 1 vs. Upper Iowa
The Bearcats didn't stray from offense throughout their innings, scoring in each half to secure the run-rule win. McKendree started its scoring off with a double by sophomore infielder Lauren Harris, which brought junior utility Heaven Lawrence around to home. McKendree added another two runs with Harris reaching home after senior outfielder Jordan Sapp walked to get on base which was followed by sophomore catcher Mollie Vetter knocking a ball to reach base and drive in graduate infielder Olivia Stansbury.

Another pair of runs were tacked on in the second as freshman outfielder Molly Bartz advanced home via passed ball before Lawrence was driven in by Harris to make it a 5-0 game. In the third, Bartz doubled to drive home junior infielder Jenna Roth while Stansbury capped the scoring in the fourth with a two-run homer, which scored Harris. 

McKendree wrapped up the game in the fifth behind senior hurler Ellie Quaethem, who tossed a no-hitter with five strikeouts and just two base-runners in the contest. 

Game 2 vs. Upper Iowa
McKendree did not ease up in the latter game on Sunday afternoon as there were three runs tallied in the first inning. Stansbury singled to start off the count, driving in senior infielder Reagan Cheely for the early lead. Sapp then added an RBI-single out to left, which scored Harris to make it a 2-0 game. Sapp then attempted to steal second, allowing Stansbury to steal home in the same sequence. Upper Iowa tallied a pair in the second, cutting the Bearcats' lead to just one run at 3-2. 

Following the UIU second inning, the Bearcats bashed the ball around, first with a sac bunt to score junior utility Maci Meyer while a passed ball brought Roth around to home. The fourth proved to be the true difference maker with seven runs being scored. Lawrence singled to kick off the mid-game push, a play which scored Bartz and Roth. Harris then singled to bring in Cheely and Lawrence which proceeded a sac fly by Stansbury to score Harris and a big single by Bartz, which allowed Roth and senior outfielder Taylor Witges to reach home.

Junior pitcher Paige McAllister wrapped up the game in the fifth for McKendree, finishing her complete game and second straight win from the circle. 

UP NEXT
April 20 | 12PM / 2PM @ Quincy | Quincy, Illinois | Watch / Live Stats
April 21 | 12PM / 2PM @ Illinois Springfield | Springfield, Illinois | Watch / Live Stats

Stay up-to-date with Bearcats Softball by following the team on Instagram and Twitter.

For more updates and information on McKendree Athletics, please continue to visit McKBearcats.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
#BearcatsUnleashed #GLVCsb #D2SB