Upper Iowa University Athletics

LEBANON, Ill. - UIU softball (6-42, 1-23 GLVC) fell to No. 17 McKendree (38-12, 19-7 GLVC) in a pair of games on Saturday, 12-0 and 5-0. Dani Laughlin had two hits and two putouts on the day. 

Dorothy Ziebell, Cara Farnam and Elliott Pomeroy each had a hit for the Peacocks. Addyson Alber reached twice with walks. Sara Reid recorded a strikeout after pitching in game one.  =

Upper Iowa ends its season against Illinois Springfield (30-18, 14-12 GLVC) on Sunday. The games take place at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. 

Game One: McKendree 12, Upper Iowa 0
The Peacocks had the early momentum, but were unable to capitalize on it. Dani Laughlin singled to center field, and Alber reached base on a fielder's choice in the first inning. Farnam then singled to right field before advancing to second on a fielding error by the Bearcats in the top of the second inning. 

McKendree ripped off five runs in the bottom of the second inning. Molly Bartz drove home the first run on a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded. Lauren Harris drove home the other four runs after hammering a 4RBI grand slam. 

The Bearcats boasted another run in the third inning, increasing their lead to 6-0. Ali Grenzebach grounded out to second base, scoring Paisley Twait.

The Bearcats extended it to a 12-0 lead in the fourth inning after scoring four additional runs. Four of the runs came off a Twait grand slam, while two of the runs came off a Trista Moore 2RBI home run. 

Farnam and Laughlin recorded singles. Alber, Reagon Proud and Kaitlin Foral posted a walk. Reid pitched four innings, allowing 12 runs, on 14 hits and a walk. The senior also had a strikeout.

UIU totaled three hits, three walks, an error and left five runners on base. McKendree mustered 14 hits, 12 RBIs, a walk, an error and left three runners on base. 

Game Two: McKendree 5, Upper Iowa 0
The game remained scoreless until the third inning, when Harris singled to right field, giving the Bearcats a 1-0 advantage. McKendree added another run in the fourth inning after Moore grounded out to second base. 

Jasmine Myers connected for a 2RBI double to left field to increase McKendree's lead to 4-0. This hit brought Harris and Sami Huck together.

The Peacocks attempted a late comeback in the top of the sixth. With two outs on the board, Pomeroy hit a single to left field. However, on the next at-bat, Laughlin grounded out to the pitcher. 

The Bearcats added a final run in the bottom of the fifth to seal the 5-0 victory. The run came off an Addie Clark groundout to second base. 

Pomeroy and Laughlin each recorded a hit. Alber had a walk. Farnam threw six innings, giving up five earned runs on 12 hits and two walks.

Upper Iowa ended the game with two hits, a walk and left three runners on base. McKendree totaled 12 hits, five RBIs, two walks and left seven runners on base.