LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Bellarmine University softball team fought hard in the biting-cold wind, but ultimately fell to the McKendree Bearcats (11-17, 5-5 GLVC) in both games of the doubleheader Friday.  Katie Stamper's two-run homer wasn't enough to overcome McKendree in the game one 8-5 decision.  The cold weather slowed the Knights' offense in game two, only tallying six hits in the 6-2 loss.
 
Bellarmine (15-19, 4-6 GLVC) will take on the University of Illinois Springfield Prairie Stars in another Great Lakes Valley Conference doubleheader on Saturday starting a noon.
 
Game 1 BU 5, MCK 8 (HTM BOX SCORE)
 
The Bearcats started the scoring off a BU error, and jumped to an early 3-0 lead in the top of the third. 
 
Bellarmine couldn't find an answer until leadoff batter Kelly Ely stepped to the plate in the fourth inning.  She hammered a double to left field.  With two outs, Stamper followed up with a two-run homer to center field.  Erica Knollman followed suit with a double to center, advancing to third on a wild pitch.  McKendree's third baseman misplayed a ball off the bat of Ciara Incorvati, which allowed Knollman to run home and tie the game at three.
 
But the Bearcats came out swinging in the top of the fifth, extending their lead 6-3.  The battle continued with the Knights back at bat in the bottom of the fifth.  Megan Bretz doubled to right center field, and advanced to second on Allison Woosley's sacrifice bunt.  Ely's RBI single through the right side drove in Bretz to bring the Knights within two.
 
A last ditch RBI single from Knollman in the bottom of the seventh wasn't enough to catch McKendree, as Bellarmine fell 8-5.
 
Knollman led Bellarmine going 2-for-3 at the plate and tallying a RBI.  Bretz also went 2-for-3.  Madeline Kurtz was saddled with the loss.
 
Game 2 BU 2, MCK 6 (HTM BOX SCORE)
 
The Bearcats struck early, taking a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Playing from behind, Bretz slapped a single down the left line to leadoff the home half of the first.  Ely reached on an error and Bretz advanced.  Four balls sent Ally Foster to first and loaded the bases as Stamper stepped to the plate.  A sacrifice fly drove in Bretz for the first run for the Knights.  Two more walks sent Ely in to tie the game at two.
 
Similar to game one, McKendree answered back with another run in the top of the second and three more in the fifth to extend the lead to the final score 6-2.
 
Bretz led Bellarmine at the plate going 2-for-4.  Kurtz fell to 3-8 on the season in the circle.