Augustana Bests Red Devils, 13-2

MOLINE, Ill. – College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin leader Augustana topped the Eureka baseball team 13-2 in seven innings in non-conference action on Tuesday night.

The Vikings jumped out to a 10-run lead in the first two innings and posted at least one run in each of the first five.

The Red Devils plated two runs in the third inning. Cole Tanner (Bartonville, Ill./Limestone/Knox) notched an RBI single to left field with two runners on. Then, in the next at-bat, Nick Rulevish (Addieville, Ill./Okawville) scored on a wild pitch. The Vikings got a fly-out to end the threat there, though.

Leadoff hitter David Hidden (East Peoria, Ill./East Peoria) went 3-for-4 with a double to lead the Red Devils at the plate.

Tanner, Rulevish, Nathan Garard (Gibson City, Ill./Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley) and Hayden McKenna (Sheridan, Ill./Marquette Academy) each contributed a base hit to give the visitors seven hits on the night.

The Red Devils used six pitchers from its staff. Relievers Tate Stone (Washington, Ill./Washington) and Ty Kapp (Downs, Ill./Tri-Valley) fared the best.

The former came on with a runner on in the fifth inning. After conceding a walk and a single, he got three straight outs – two on strikeouts –to get out of the inning having only surrendered one run.

The latter took over in the sixth and retired the side with a fly-out, groundout and strikeout.

On Saturday, Eureka (9-22, 7-11 SLIAC) will open its final three-game St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference series at home with a 1 p.m. doubleheader against Westminster (19-15, 8-7 SLIAC). The Red Devils will be also be celebrating Senior Day at Henry Sand Field.