Chattanooga, TN - The McKendree University Softball team, just days removed from its season-opening trip to Branson, Missouri, ventured down to the Volunteer State to partake in the Chattanooga Tournament, hosted by Lee University. The Bearcats (4-2) faced off against the Shorter Hawks and Montevallo Falcons to start a four-game slate at Frost Stadium, home of the 2026 NCAA DII Softball Championship. McKendree started off in nearly perfect fashion against the Hawks, with Ellie Vetter and Olivia Tipton splitting a no-hitter in a 9-0 winner before the Falcons got the best of the Bearcats in the finale of day one with an 8-3 victory. 

GAME ONE | McKENDREE 9, SHORTER 0 (5 INN.)
McKendree delivered a statement performance Thursday afternoon, combining for a no-hitter in a 9-0 shutout of Shorter. Ellie Vetter and Olivia Tipton teamed up to keep Shorter hitless across five innings as the Bearcats controlled the game from start to finish.

The Bearcats backed the historic pitching effort with a balanced attack at the plate, scoring in four different innings and piling up 12 hits. Lauren Harris jumpstarted the scoring with an RBI triple in the first, while a four-run third inning broke the game open. Jasmine Myers launched a two-run home run in that frame, followed later by a solo shot from Vetter. Laynee Tapp added two doubles and drove in two runs as McKendree was able to get depth throughout the lineup. 

In the circle, Vetter earned the win after striking out five over three hitless innings before Tipton closed the door with two strong frames to complete the combined no-hitter. Clean defense behind them sealed one of the most complete performances of the young season for head coach Heather Tarter and company.

Bearcat Hitting
Sami Huck (DP) | 3 hits, 1 RBI
Trista Moore (LF) | 2 hits
Jasmine Myers (1B) | 2 hits, 1 home run, 2 RBI
Laynee Tapp (CF) | 2 hits, 2 RBI
Ellie Vetter (P) | 1 hit, 1 home run, 1 RBI

Bearcat Pitching
Ellie Vetter (W) | 3 innings, 0 hits, 0 earned runs, 2 walks, 5 strikeouts
Olivia Tipton | 2 innings, 0 hits, 0 earned runs, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts

GAME TWO | MONTEVALLO 8, McKENDREE 3
McKendree turned right back around and battled throughout but dropped an 8-3 decision to Montevallo. The Bearcats erased part of an early deficit with a strong third inning, but were unable to keep pace as Montevallo added runs late to secure the win.

Offensively, McKendree made its biggest push in the third, sparked by back-to-back extra base hits. Jasmine Myers doubled to bring home the Bearcats' first run, and Trista Moore followed with a two-run double to right field to cut the margin to 4-3. Lauren Harris also reached base and scored in the inning as McKendree continued to fight.

Ellie Vetter once again provided stability in the circle with five innings of relief work, keeping the Bearcats within striking distance, but Montevallo added insurance runs in the fourth and seventh. McKendree was limited to four hits in the game.

Bearcat Hitting
Lauren Harris (SS) | 2 hits
Trista Moore (LF) | 1 hit, 2 RBI
Jasmine Myers (1B) | 1 hit, 1 RBI

Bearcat Pitching
Sami Huck (L) | 1.2 innings, 2 strikeouts
Ellie Vetter | 5.0 innings
Lauren Lenihan | 0.1 innings, 0 hits, 0 earned runs

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE BEARCATS
Chattanooga Tournament | Day Two of Two
vs. #8 West Texas A&M (7-1) & Cedarville (0-2)
Saturday, February 7th - 10:00 AM & 12:30 PM
at Frost Stadium - Chattanooga, Tennessee