Marion, IL - The 25th-ranked McKendree University Softball team had another day of games on Saturday at the Oasis Sports Complex, taking on the Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers and Ferris State Bulldogs. The Bearcats (12-4) got a pair of victories in contrasting styles, first overwhelming Kentucky Wesleyan in a six-inning run-rule decision (10-0) before rallying late to slip past Ferris State (5-2). McKendree combined for 15 runs on 17 hits, received scoreless pitching in the opener and a clutch seventh-inning surge in the nightcap.

GAME 1 | #25 McKENDREE 10, KENTUCKY WESLEYAN 0 (6 INN.)
McKendree wasted little time establishing control in the morning matchup, striking for two runs in the opening frame and steadily widening the margin before a five-run sixth closed out the game. 

The first inning would ultimately set the tone. Sami Huck led off with a single, and after a walk put two aboard, Jasmine Myers drove a base hit to bring home the first run of the day. Moments later, Paisley Twait produced an RBI fielder's choice to plate another, giving the Bearcats a 2-0 advantage despite leaving traffic on the bases. 

The decisive swing came in the third. With Myers aboard after a double and an error extending the inning, Molly Bartz launched a three-run homer to left, pushing the margin to 5-0. The long ball, McKendree's lone extra base hit of the inning, capitalized on a defensive miscue and effectively shifted the game out of reach.

From there, the pitching staff took over. Olivia Tipton worked 4.1 innings, allowing just two hits while striking out five. She stranded multiple runners in the first and second innings, aided by a double play that erased an early threat. Ellie Vetter closed the final 1.2 innings without allowing a hit, finishing off the combined two-hitter. 

The sixth inning removed any doubt. McKendree sent 10 batters to the plate and collected five runs on five hits. A pinch-hit RBI single by Jasmine Martin started the outburst, Myers followed with a run-scoring single to right, and Lauren Harris added another RBI knock. Addie Clark then punctuated the inning with a two-run triple into right-center field, stretching the lead to its 10-run conclusion. 

GAME 2 | #25 McKENDREE 5, FERRIS STATE 2
The afternoon game would go a different route. After managing just one run through the first six innings, McKendree erupted for four in the seventh to flip a 2-1 deficit into a 5-2 win. 

The Bearcats scratched across the game's first run in the second inning. Following an error that put a runner on and a walk to Addie Clark, Trista Moore lined a single to center to score Clark for a 1-0 edge. Ferris State answered in increments, manufacturing one run in the fifth and sixth to move ahead 2-1. 

Through six, McKendree had scattered limited offense despite drawing walks. That changed quickly in the top of the seventh. Clark worked another free pass to open the frame, and Bartz followed with a single. After a sacrifice advanced both runners, Sami Huck delivered the pivotal blow, an RBI triple that found a gap and brought home two runs to reclaim the lead. 

The pressure continued. Ali Grenzebach lined a triple of her own to drive in Huck, extending the lead to 4-2. Later in the inning, with two aboard, Lilly Long reached on an infield error that allowed an additional run to score, capping a four-run charge. 

In the circle, Huck handled the bulk of the work, throwing six innings and allowing two runs on five hits while striking out three. She navigated a bases-loaded situation in the sixth with minimal damage before turning the ball over to Ellie Vetter, who recorded the final three outs and stranded a runner at third to secure the save. 

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE BEARCATS
2026 Oasis DII Collegiate Classic
vs. Purdue Northwest Pride (6-2)
Sunday, March 1st - 1:30 PM*
Oasis Sports Complex - Marion, IL (Field A1)
*New first pitch time from the originally scheduled 12:30 PM