Red Devils Sweep RMU-Springfield in Home Opener

EUREKA, Ill. – Eureka College junior right-hander Kali George (East Peoria, Ill./East Peoria H.S.) fired a complete-game shutout to lead the Red Devils to an 11-0 win over USCAA Robert Morris-Springfield in game one of Friday's non-conference doubleheader in Eureka, Ill. Freshman right-hander Erin Smith (Dunlap, Ill./Dunlap H.S.) clubbed her first career home run in the nightcap and pitched EC to an 8-4 win, securing the twin bill sweep.

The Red Devils jumped all over the visitors early in game one, scoring seven times on only four hits in the second inning. Sophomore first baseman Madaline Kane (Havana, Ill./Havana H.S.) drilled a two-run single to put EC on the board with a 2-0 lead. Freshman second baseman Courtney Kurtz (Minooka, Ill./Minooka H.S.) drove two in more on her double before an RMU defensive miscue and a Kerrigan Dura (Edwards, Ill./Brimfield H.S.) RBI single finished the damage in the frame.

An RBI double from freshman right fielder Morgan Osborn (Washington, Ill./Washington H.S.) highlighted another outburst in the third inning. Kurtz closed the scoring in the fourth with another two-run double.

The attack was more than enough for George, who scattered four hits to win her second game of the season, a complete-game shutout. She struck out five, walked none and needed only 71 pitches.

EC had nine hits as a team in game one. Kurtz drove in a game-high four.

In game two, Eureka did most of its damage during a six-run third inning. George and Kane drove in runs before Smith drilled a two-run home run to dead center field, her first career long ball.

Kane added another run-scoring hit -- a double -- to push the Red Devils in front 7-1 in the fifth. RMU put together four hits in the sixth, scoring three times on back-to-back doubles from Rachel Friesner and Taylor Hastings to trim its deficit to 7-4. The Eagles' rally wouldn't be enough, as EC answered with a run in the bottom of the frame.

Dura, George and Kane had two hits apiece in the nightcap. Kane finished with three RBI.

Smith threw all 7.0 innings in her third win of the campaign. She struck out five.

Eureka's St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference doubleheaders scheduled for Saturday against Greenville and Sunday against Spalding have been postponed. EC will return to the diamond Tuesday in Eureka for a 3 p.m. non-conference doubleheader against North Central (Ill.).