LEBANON, Ill. – The Missouri Western softball team lost both games of its doubleheader at McKendree Tuesday.  The Griffons dropped the opener, 13-7, and then fell in game two, 7-3, as they're now 17-9 this season.
 
GAME 1 – McKendree 13, Missouri Western 7
Missouri Western let a five-run lead slip away in game one Tuesday as they scored five in the second before the Bearcats rallied back with one run in the bottom of the second and they tied the game with a four-run third inning.  The Griffons took the lead back with two runs in the top of the fourth inning before McKendree pulled away with four runs in the fourth inning and four more in the fifth.
 
Brea Blanton led the Griffons with three hits, two runs and two RBI, while Sydni Hawkins and Sierra Culver added two hits each.  Hawkins scored two runs and Emma Hoffart drove in two.
 
Sydney Rader started for MWSU and received a no decision.  She lasted just three innings and allowed five runs on six hits.  Natalie Kissinger suffered the loss in relief as he gave up five earned runs in 1.0+ innings of work.

GAME 2 – McKendree 7, Missouri Western 3
Chloe Armstrong gave the Griffons a 1-0 lead in game two with an RBI single in the first and she had another in the third inning to put Missouri Western ahead 2-1.  It was all McKendree after that as they knocked out MWSU starter Kaili Hinds in the third inning with six runs and they cruised to the 7-3 win.
 
Hinds is now 8-2 this season as she gave up seven runs on six hits in just 2.0+ innings.  Kissinger threw well in relief as she went four scoreless innings and didn't allow a hit.
 
Armstrong had three of the Griffons six hits, while Brea Blanton added the other RBI.
 
UP NEXT
Missouri Western returns home for two MIAA doubleheaders this weekend.  They host Newman at 4:00 p.m. Friday and then entertain Central Oklahoma at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday.