LEBANON, Ill. – McKendree baseball (19-23, 11-13 GLVC) sweeps the Lincoln Blue Tigers (6-33, 0-24 GLVC) to earn its first conference sweep of the season at Hypes Field this past weekend.
Game One | McKendree 12, Lincoln 5
Trey Cole (W: 5-5), Carter Otto (L: 1-1)
In the first game, Lincoln took an early 2-0 lead after their half of the fourth inning. Hunter Sherman got the scoring started for the Bearcats with an RBI double that scored Sage McMinn. After a one run inning in the top of the fifth for the Blue Tigers, McKendree blew the game wide open with a seven-run inning in the sixth.
Javy Garcia got the scoring run started with a solo home run to left field. Kyle Richardson followed that up with a two RBI single; Gavin Arseneau had a sacrifice fly that was able to bring a run across. Then Peyton Bittle and McMinn doubled to score the last three runs of the inning. In the eighth, Garcia would also earn a double to score two; McMinn would end the scoring with a two-run home run to left field.
Starting on the mound for McKendree was Trey Cole where after giving up early hits, he was able to settle in and go six innings only allowing three runs across and striking out six batters. Luke Aubuchon came in for relief and went two innings, not allowing a single hit to the Blue Tigers. He also added three strikeouts in his time on the mound. Peyton Apps finished the last inning of the game, where he collected a strikeout.
Game Two | McKendree 13, Lincoln 2
Josh Dima (W: 2-2), Brody Kleffner (L: 2-8)
The bats kept getting hot for the Bearcats as they took an 11-1 lead after three innings of play. The scoring surge was started by Garcia with the three-run home run to center field in the first inning. In the second inning, Arseneau started the inning off with a solo shot that carried over the center field wall. Quest Hull and Bittle would both take advantage of wild pitches to extend the lead. After the bases got loaded, Sherman would hit a grand slam to cap off the seven run inning.
Gabe Deaver would earn a walk with the bases loaded to force across Tyler Butash. Both teams would be quiet until the sixth inning where Sherman and Butash drove in runs to end the scoring.
Josh Dima had his fourth game of the season with 10 strikeouts as he continues to increase his lead of strikeouts in the GLVC. Ben Vaughn came in for one inning and only allowed one hit but also added a strikeout. Hunter MacLeod relieved him in the sixth and went one inning with a strikeout and not giving up a single hit. Joe Jarecki finished the game and got all three batters he faced out.
Game Three | McKendree 12, Lincoln 7
Adam Galdoni (W: 3-2), Jacob Claborn (L: 0-2)
The second game of the doubleheader was a closely contested game up until the end where the Bearcats pulled away with a four-run inning in the fifth.
McMinn was the main source of offensive firepower going 2-2, both being homeruns earning four total RBIs. He walked twice and stole a base. Butash was also 2-2 with three RBIs in the game. Bittle was also a part of pulling away from the Blue Tigers with his two-RBI single in the fifth. Max Meuli also had a great game going 3-4 with three singles. Gavin Noreus also had a hit in the game.
Pitching for the Bearcats, Calan Kujawa would get the start and go three innings and strike out three. Ben Amador came in for relief and gave up two hits and struck out one batter in his 1.2 innings. Adam Galdoni finished the last 2.1 innings only giving up one hit and struck out five of the eight batters he faced.
Game Four | McKendree 22, Lincoln 11 (7 Inn.)
Rhett Detering (W: 3-3), Ryan Lepper (L: 0-1)
The last game ended up being a very high scoring game as both teams came ready to hit along with a combined 17 walks in the game.
Offensively for McKendree, Hull and Garcia would lead the team in hits with four each. Two of Hull's hits would be over the wall with people on base which led to him getting six RBIs which also led the team. McMinn went 3-4 with two home runs and a double. Bittle would also go 3-4 with two doubles and two walks. Deaver and Meuli each added two hits to the game total. Brennen Vechazone and Noreus also had a hit in the game.
The McKendree pitching staff in the fourth game saw Davis Beale start the game and go 0.1 innings. Rhett Detering was credited with the win going 3.2 innings, only giving up three hits and striking out seven foes. Parker Johnson, Owen Dunn and Jorden Eaton all went 0.1 innings as well with Johnson and Dunn getting a strikeout. Gavin Reidel finished out the last two innings, allowing one hit.
Next Up
McKendree will play its final home series against Lewis at Hypes Field for a four-game GLVC conference series. The first game is scheduled for Friday, April 24th at 1:00 p.m. On Saturday, April 25th there will be a doubleheader with both games being seven inning games, the first game is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. The final game will be at 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 26th with a senior day celebration before the game.
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