Lebanon, IL - After a long stretch away, the 20th-ranked McKendree University Softball team finally returned to the confines of Bearcat Field on Saturday to host the UMSL Tritons in GLVC play. The Bearcats (30-10, 11-5 GLVC) took the opener 4-2 behind a complete-game effort from Sami Huck before dropping a high-scoring 12-8 game to the Tritons (17-17, 10-4 GLVC) in game two. The Bearcats recorded 17 hits and four home runs across the two games, while UMSL totaled 25 hits, including 19 in the nightcap.
GAME ONE | #20 McKENDREE 4, UMSL 2
McKendree's hitting, coupled with a strong outing in the circle, allowed the Bearcats to take control early and secure a 4-2 win in game one.
The Bearcats wasted no time getting on the board in the first inning. Lauren Harris reached on a walk and came around to score when Jasmine Myers belted a two-run home run, giving McKendree a quick 2-0 lead.
That early cushion allowed Sami Huck to settle into a rhythm. The senior worked through the first five innings, limiting UMSL to scattered hits.
McKendree added to its lead in the third inning. Huck reached to spark the offense, and Myers continued her strong day with an RBI single to extend the lead to 3-0.
UMSL mounted a serious push in the sixth inning, using back-to-back hits to score two runs and cut the deficit to one. However, the Bearcats responded immediately in the bottom half. With runners in scoring position, Rudy Dobbins delivered a clutch pinch-hit RBI double to restore a two-run lead.
Huck closed the door from there, finishing off her complete game with nine strikeouts while allowing just two runs on six hits. Offensively, Myers led the way with three hits and three RBI, while McKendree totaled nine hits in the win.
GAME TWO | UMSL 12, #20 McKENDREE 8
The second game turned into an offensive battle, with both teams trading runs early before UMSL used multiple big innings to pull away late.
McKendree started fast again, scoring in each of the first three innings. The Bearcats pushed across a run in the first, added another in the second on a solo home run from Ryleigh Albers, and then answered an UMSL rally in the third with three runs of their own. Paisley Twait delivered a key two-RBI double in the inning, helping McKendree take a brief 5-4 lead.
UMSL responded quickly and shifted momentum during the middle innings. The Tritons tied the game in the fourth and then broke it open in the fifth, stringing together multiple hits to score four runs and take a 9-5 lead.
Despite falling behind, the Bearcats continued to battle. Lauren Harris provided a spark in the sixth inning with a two-run home run, keeping the game within reach. It was an afternoon that saw Harris surpass 300 career hits as well.
However, UMSL answered in the seventh, adding three more runs, including a two-run home run of their own, to extend the lead. McKendree got one run back in the bottom of the inning on a solo shot from Twait, but the comeback attempt fell short.
Twait led the offense with three hits and three RBI, while Harris and Albers also homered as part of an eight-hit game.
WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE BEARCATS
vs. Maryville Saints (17-17, 7-7 GLVC)
Sunday, April 12th - 12:00 & 2:00 PM
at Bearcat Field - Lebanon, Illinois
Watch Live ($) (GLVCSN) (Game 1)
Watch Live ($) (GLVCSN) (Game 2)
Live Stats (Sidearm Sports)
