Rockhurst Baseball opened conference play with a pair of wins over McKendree Friday at Loyola Park. The Hawks won Game 1, 8-6, and captured the second game, 10-5.

Game 1: RU 8, McKendree 6

The Hawks scored four runs in the first and three more in the second to take a 7-2 lead.

Michael Laudando drove in three runs with a two-run triple in the first and a run-scoring single in the second.

Michael Novak posted three hits and scored a run. Jared Jeffries had two hits, including a first-inning home run. Dakota Hanna added two hits and an RBI.

Jacob Merithew (2-0) allowed six runs on 10 hits and struck out five. Brendan Rodis held the Bearcats scoreless over the final three innings to get his first save.

Game 2: RU 10, McKendree 5
 

Rockhurst jumped out to an 8-3 lead in the third inning behind Hanna, who drove in five runs with a grand slam in the first and a solo shot in the third.

Laudando posted two hits and singled home two runs in the second. Matt Bollinger added two hits and scored two runs.

Landon Carr (3-0) held the Bearcats to one earned run on one hit and struck out four in 2.0 innings. Trent Clemons got the final two outs for his first save of the season.