Red Devils Celebrate Seniors in Regular Season Finale vs. Spalding

EUREKA, Ill. – The Eureka baseball team wrapped up the regular season on Saturday with a senior day doubleheader against Spalding.

Saturday marked a special occasion as Eureka honored its seven seniors — David Hidden (East Peoria, Ill./East Peoria), Colton Yanish (LaSalle-Peru, Ill./LaSalle-Peru Township), Ethan Hedge (Pekin, Ill./Pekin), Brandt King (Rockford, Ill./Stillman Valley), Sheldon Geuvens (Eureka, Ill./Eureka), Andrew Schulte (Summerfield, Ill./Lebanon), and Mike Dunne (Bartonville, Ill./Limestone) — in what could have been their final appearance at Henry Sand Field. Between games, each senior was recognized for their contributions to the program and celebrated the moment with teammates, family, and fans.

GAME 1 – Spalding 7, Eureka 0

Spalding struck early and never looked back in Game 1, beating Eureka 7-0 behind a strong pitching performance and a key three-run third inning.

The visitors jumped ahead in the first inning after two early walks and a double by Strong gave them a 2-0 lead. Spalding extended their advantage in the third, with Strong launching a solo home run and Walter delivering a two-RBI single to make it 5-0.

Eureka settled in during the middle innings, with Colton Yanish entering in relief and retiring the side in order in the fifth. Yanish pitched 5 2/3 innings, giving up just three hits and two earned runs.

Offensively, the Red Devils struggled to generate momentum against Spalding's pitching. Noah Company (Le Roy, Ill./Le Roy) led the way with two stolen bases, while Ace Padilla (Castle Rock, Colo./Grayslake North) swiped a bag and drew a pair of walks. Mike Dunne and Gabe Peters (Washington, Ill./Washington Community) each recorded a hit, with Peters also notching four assists in the field.

GAME NOTES

• Colton Yanish provided a strong effort out of the bullpen, tossing 5 2/3 innings and allowing just two earned runs.
• Noah Company led the team with two stolen bases.
• Ace Padilla reached base twice on walks and added a stolen base.
• Gabe Peters recorded a hit and tallied four assists defensively.

GAME 2 – Spalding 9, Eureka 1

In the second game of the day, Spalding capitalized on a five-run fourth inning to pull away from the Red Devils and secure a 9-1 victory.

Spalding opened the scoring in the first with an RBI single, then extended the lead in the third before breaking the game open in the fourth. A mix of errors and timely hitting, including a two-run homer from Strong, gave Spalding a 7-0 edge.

Eureka answered in the sixth inning. Nickolas Cartmill (Fort Worth, Texas/Burleson) drew a walk and scored on a single by Brandt King, who picked up the team's lone RBI of the game. Mike Dunne and Andrew Schulte also chipped in with hits, with Schulte delivering a pinch-hit single in the eighth.

On the mound, Dunne gave the Red Devils three innings, allowing just one earned run on four hits while striking out two.

GAME NOTES

• Nickolas Cartmill reached base once and scored Eureka's lone run.
• Brandt King delivered an RBI single in the sixth inning.
• Mike Dunne recorded a hit and struck out two over three innings on the mound.
• Andrew Schulte notched a hit in his only plate appearance.

UP NEXT

Eureka's postseason fate now hinges on Sunday's conference matchups. The Red Devils will clinch a spot in the SLIAC tournament if Fontbonne drops at least one of its two games against Webster or if Westminster is swept by MUW. A sweep by MUW over Westminster would also give Eureka a home SLIAC tournament quarterfinal game on Tuesday, May 6.