Lincoln Christian spoils Eureka's home opener

EUREKA, Ill. – The Eureka College baseball team took to Henry Sand Field for the first time this season, hosting the Lincoln Christian Red Lions in what might be the earliest known home baseball game in school history. Senior infielder Seth Aydt(Washington, Ill./Washington) finished the day 2-for-3, including a solo home run, but the Red Lions poured on nine runs to spoil the home opener, 9-3, Monday afternoon on the Eureka College campus.

The second-inning blast to right-center was Aydt's fourth of his career, he later singled and drove in another run in fourth.

Eureka built a 3-0 lead through four innings, but the Red Lions crossed home plate four times in the fifth to take a 4-3 lead and never trailed again.

Freshman infielder Jake Miller (Washington, Ill./Washington) collected two hits in his EC debut out of the leadoff spot, tacking on a RBI and stolen base.

Newcomers Grant Mullin (Hegewisch, Ill./St. Rita) and Jake Schnulle (Woodstock, Ill./Woodstock North) picked up their first hits as Red Devils.

Senior right-hander John Kurtz (Minooka, Ill./Minooka) got the start and fired 3.0 innings of three hit ball. Kurtz fanned seven and allowed two walks.

Senior RHP Nick Finney (Washington, Ill./Washington [Illinois Valley]) took the loss on the bump, allowing four runs, three earned, over 2.0 innings of work. Finney gave up three hits and struck out three.

LCU's Cam Bridges tallied three hits and a pair of walks to pace the visitors from the leadoff spot. Jacob Parker added a two-run shot to left-center.

RHP Brock Trexler went the distance for the Red Lions allowing nine hits and striking out five batters.

The Red Devils will travel to Jackson, Miss. next week as part of their Spring Break trip. Eureka will face off against Tougaloo College on Friday, March 11. First pitch of the three-game series is scheduled for 3 p.m.