Red Devils thump Panthers, extend winning streak to fourteen games

EUREKA, Ill. – Junior Lexi Litwiller (Eureka, Ill./Eureka [Lincoln Col.]) clobbered a pair of home runs en route to a 4-for-4 effort, tallying six runs batted in and three runs scored in game one of an 18-4 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference victory over Principia, Tuesday afternoon in Eureka. The Red Devils continued the scorching offensive attack in the nightcap, winning 14-5.

Eureka (22-2, 8-0 SLIAC) have won 14 games in a row and improve to 13-1 at home. Principia falls to 3-17 overall and 1-7 in conference play.

The Red Devils capitalized on fourteen hits, nine going for extra bases, and four Principia errors to race out early in game one. Litwiller feasted on the Principia's pitcher in game one, adding a triple and double to pair with her two home runs.

Freshman Kerrigan Dura (Brimfield, Ill./Brimfield) added four RBIs and four runs scored to her season total, while senior Savanna Tapper (East Peoria, Ill./East Peoria) also crossed home four times in the victory.

Sophomore Kali George (East Peoria, Ill./East Peoria) continued to impress in the circle, winning her 12^th contest of the season. The right-hander scattered three hits over four frames before freshman Kylie Whightsil (Spring Valley, Ill./Hall) closed out the final inning.

Eureka pounded out eleven more hits in game two to reach double-figures for the tenth time this season.

Junior Bridget Bankes (East Peoria, Ill./East Peoria [Heartland]) sent a solo shot over the left field fence and added a triple, while sophomore Krysten Wallace (Bartonville, Ill./Limestone), Dura and George added two hits apiece.

Junior Rachel Patterson (Tremont, Ill./Tremont [ICC]) settled in after a rocky first inning to notch her tenth pitching win of the season. Patterson allowed four earned runs and struck out four.

The Red Devils step away from conference play tomorrow to take on Robert Morris-Springfield. The road doubleheader is set for 3 p.m. in Springfield.