Chattanooga, TN - The McKendree University Softball team wrapped up its trip to Tennessee on Saturday afternoon at the Chattanooga tournament, battling against the #8-ranked West Texas A&M Buffs and Cedarville Yellowjackets. The Bearcats (6-2) would wrap up a dominant Friday with a pair of statement wins, knocking off the nationally-ranked Buffs 5-3 before unleashing an offensive avalanche in the afternoon with a 12-0, five-inning win over Cedarville. McKendree combined timely power, relentless pressure at the plate, and lockdown pitching to go 2-0 on the day.
GAME ONE | McKENDREE 5, #8 WEST TEXAS A&M 3
McKendree wasted no time setting the tone against the eighth-ranked Buffs, striking for two runs in the opening inning and never surrendering the lead.
Ali Grenzebach opened the scoring with an RBI double, and
Jasmine Myers followed with an RBI single to give the Bearcats early momentum against a nationally-respected pitching staff.
The decisive moment came in the third inning, when McKendree flexed its power. Grenzebach launched a solo home run, and Myers followed shortly after with a two-run blast to left, pushing the lead to 5-0. The long ball backed a strong offensive showing that produced 13 hits, with
Lauren Harris going 3-for-4 and consistently setting the table from the top of the order.
In the circle,
Sami Huck delivered a complete-game performance, working through traffic and keeping West Texas A&M from ever fully climbing back into the game. The Buffs scratched across three runs over the middle innings, but Huck limited damage and closed the door in the seventh, sealing a signature win over a top-10 opponent.
Bearcat Hitting
Sami Huck (P) | 3 hits
Ali Grenzebach (2B) | 2 hits, 1 home run, 2 RBI
Lauren Harris (SS) | 3 hits, 1 stolen base
Jasmine Myers (1B) | 2 hits, 1 home run, 3 RBI
Bearcat Pitching
Sami Huck (W) | 7 innings, 2 earned runs, 2 walks, 2 strikeouts
GAME TWO | McKENDREE 12, CEDARVILLE 0 (5 inn.)
McKendree carried its momentum straight into game two, erupting for six runs in the first innings and never letting Cedarville settle in. The Bearcats capitalized on early defensive miscues and paired them with clutch hitting, highlighted by
Trista Moore's two-run double as part of a first-frame outburst that immediately put the game out of reach.
The offense stayed relentless in the third inning, plating six more runs on seven hits. Moore drove in two more with a single, Huck added an RBI double, and Harris continued her hot day with a run-scoring hit up the middle. McKendree finished with 10 hits and took full advantage of four Cedarville errors to keep constant pressure on the bases.
Pitching was just as sharp.
Ellie Vetter was dominant in her start, throwing three hitless innings with five strikeouts, while the Bearcats' bullpen preserved the shutout to enforce the run rule after five. McKendree allowed just one hit in the game, capping off a complete team effort and a commanding sweep of the day.
Bearcat Hitting
Trista Moore (LF) | 2 hits, 4 RBI
Lauren Harris (SS) | 2 hits, 2 RBI
Sami Huck (DP) | 1 hit, 1 RBI
Jasmine Myers (1B) | 1 hit, 1 RBI
Rudy Dobbins | 1 hit, 1 RBI
Mollie Vetter (C) | 1 hit, 1 RBI, 1 walk
Bearcat Pitching
Ellie Vetter (W) | 3 innings, 0 hits, 0 earned runs, 0 walks, 5 strikeouts
Olivia Tipton | 1 inning, 1 hit, 0 earned runs, 0 walks
Lilly Long | 1 inning, 0 hits, 0 earned runs, 1 walk, 1 strikeout
WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE BEARCATS
@ #24 Missouri Southern State Lions (8-1)
Saturday, February 21st - 1:00 / 3:30 PM
Pat Lipira Softball Complex - Joplin, MO
