Joplin, MO - The 24th-ranked McKendree University Softball team was on the road again on Saturday, this time for a 'normal' doubleheader at the 7th-ranked Missouri Southern State Lions. The Bearcats (8-2) would leave with a statement sweep, riding explosive early offense in the opener and clutch late power in game two to secure 8-4 and 6-3 victories at Joplin High School.

GAME 1 | #24 McKENDREE 8, #7 MISSOURI SOUTHERN STATE 4
McKendree wasted no time setting the tone in the opener, erupting for four runs in the top of the first inning and never looked back in an 8-4 win. The Bearcats pounded out 10 hits and scored in three different innings, putting immediate pressure on a Missouri Southern State squad that entered at 17-1. 

After a leadoff out, Ali Grenzebach and Lauren Harris ignited the rally with back-to-back singles, and Jasmine Myers followed to load the bases. Paisley Twait drove in the game's first run with an RBI single before Laynee Tapp delivered the biggest swing of the frame, a bases-clearing double to center that plated three and gave McKendree a commanding 4-0 lead. 

The Bearcats struck again in the second. Following a leadoff single by Addie Clark, Grenzebach launched a two-run home run to extend the lead to 6-1. Twait added another RBI later in the inning, pushing the margin to 7-1 and forcing an early pitching change. 

Missouri Southern State chipped away, scoring single runs in the first and fifth and adding two in the second, but McKendree never relinquished control. Sami Huck went the distance in the circle, earning the complete-game victory while scattering nine hits and striking out four over seven innings. When the Lions threatened late, Huck worked out of traffic in both the sixth and seventh to slam the door. 

Grenzebach finished 3-for-4 with three RBI and a home run, while Harris added two hits and two runs scored. Twait and Tapp each drove in multiple runs as McKendree handed the seventh-ranked Lions just their second loss of the year. 

GAME 2 | #24 McKENDREE 6, #7 MISSOURI SOUTHERN STATE 3
Missouri Southern State briefly seized momentum in the third inning, capitalizing on a three-run homer to take a 3-1 lead, but the Bearcats responded. 

After Paisley Twait put McKendree on the board with a solo home run in the second, the Bearcats delivered the decisive blow in the fifth. Trista Moore sparked the inning with a single, and after a bunt moved her into scoring position, Sami Huck reached to set the stage. Grenzebach once again provided the thunder, crushing a three-run homer that flipped a 3-1 deficit into a 4-3 McKendree lead. 

The Bearcats added critical insurance in the sixth. Moore singled and swiped second before Addie Clark roped a two-run double to left-center, extending the lead to 6-3. 

In the circle, Ellie Vetter delivered another complete-game effort. Vetter allowed just five hits and three runs while striking out three, navigating through three hit batters and limiting the Lions' scoring chances down the stretch. Missouri Southern State managed just two base runners over the final three innings. 

Twait and Grenzebach both homered, Clark drove in two, and Moore scored twice as McKendree totaled six runs on seven hits. 

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE BEARCATS
@ (RV) Pittsburg State Gorillas (15-0)
Sunday, February 22nd - 12:00 / 2:00 PM
Gene Bicknell Sports Complex - Pittsburg, KS
Watch Live ($) (MIAA Network)
Live Stats (Sidearm Sports)