LEBANON, Ill.- In the last two games of the regular season, the Saints battled against McKendree University but suffered losses in two close matches.
 
Game 1 Recap
In the last conference matchup of the regular season for the Saints, the softball squad opened game one of Saturday's doubleheader series strong with an RBI by Emily Corona, scoring Melanie Nelson. Nelson then singled for the Saints scoring Brooklyn Moore, putting them up 2-0.
 
McKendree then got on the board off a bunt, shortening the lead to 2-1. The Saints struck back next after a fielding error by the Bearcats, scoring Taylor Shingler. With the Saints ahead 3-1, McKendree scored in the bottom of the seventh, tying the game at 3-3 to send the teams to extra innings.

The Bearcats held the Saints quiet through the eighth and the ninth and put a runner in scoring position in the bottom of the ninth after a Lauren Harris leadoff double and a walk. McKendree went on to take a 4-3 walk-off win after a Maryville fielding error. 
 
In the circle for the Saints, Emersen Heron threw 6.2 innings tossing four strikeouts. Chayse Ramey threw two innings for the Saints, only allowing two hits.
 
Winning Pitcher: E. Quaethem (18-3)
Losing Pitcher: Emersen Heron (13-8)
 
Batting Leaders:
Melanie Nelson: 3-for-5, 3B, RBI, R
Lexi Touchette: 2-for-4, 2B
Emily Corona:  2 RBI, SB, R
 
Game 2 Recap
In Maryville's second game, they started out with the first run off a Corona single up the middle, driving in Nelson. McKendree then responded in the first and second inning with one run each, putting the Bearcats up 2-1 going into the third.

The Saints saw more scoring action in the top of the third when Kylie Swinney smacked a single, scoring Nelson. Heron then followed with an RBI, scoring Corona.
 
With the Saints up 3-2,  McKendree tallied three runs in the bottom of the fifth and held the visitors from there to win the game 5-3. Ramey tossed two strikeouts through 4.1 innings while Reagan Smith tossed two strikeouts as well.
 
The Saints end the regular season with a final record of 27-19. In conference play, the Saints tallied 15 total wins and nine losses.
 
Winning Pitcher: S. Bires (4-4)
Losing Pitcher: Reagan Smith (4-2)
 
Batting Leaders:
Emily Corona: 2-for-3, R, RBI, SB
Kylie Swinney: 2-for-4, RBI, 2B
Melanie Nelson: 1-for-4, 2 R, 2 SB
 
Records:
Maryville: 27-19
McKendree: 28-13
 
What's Next:
The Saints will compete in the GLVC Tournament on Thursday, May 4, in East Peoria, Ill.