Eureka Softball Drops SLIAC Opener in Doubleheader at MUW

COLUMBUS, Miss. – The Eureka softball team opened SLIAC play on Saturday with a pair of tough losses against MUW, falling 8-0 in Game 1 and 5-2 in Game 2.

GAME 1 – Eureka 0, MUW 8 (6 Innings)

Eureka struggled to find its offensive rhythm as MUW capitalized on key moments to take an 8-0 victory in six innings.

MUW struck first in the second inning when Joe singled and later scored on a fielding error to take a 1-0 lead. The hosts extended their advantage to 3-0 in the third, fueled by a sacrifice fly from Sandlin and an RBI double by Phillips.

The lead continued to grow in the fourth inning as Bearley singled, stole second, and came home on an RBI single from McClain. MUW then took full control in the fifth, using a fielding error and a bases-loaded situation to plate two more runs, pushing the gap to 6-0.

MUW sealed the victory in the sixth inning, scoring twice more on an RBI single by Phillips and a run-scoring hit from Rhodes, triggering the mercy rule at 8-0.

GAME NOTES

• Ashlyn Voyles (Farmer City, Ill./Farmer City) led the Red Devils with a double.
• Bria Wessel (Peoria, Ill./Limestone) recorded a hit and a stolen base.
• Alyssa Bundren (Spring Bay, Ill./Metamora) pitched 5 1/3 innings, facing 30 batters, striking out one, and allowing three earned runs.

GAME 2 – Eureka 2, MUW 5

Eureka put up a fight in Game 2 but ultimately fell 5-2 as MUW secured the doubleheader sweep.

The Red Devils threatened in the third inning when Mackenzie Daniels (Monticello, Ill./Monticello) singled through the left side, but the rally fell short, leaving two runners stranded.

MUW broke the scoreless tie in the fourth, plating two runs after a pair of walks set up an RBI single by McClain. The Owls tacked on two more in the fifth, taking advantage of a defensive miscue and a single by Rhodes to stretch their lead to 4-0.

Eureka answered back in the sixth inning, as Alayla Thornton (East Peoria, Ill./East Peoria) launched a two-run home run to left field, bringing home pinch-runner Natalia Espinosa (Austin, Texas/Lake Travis) and cutting the deficit to 4-2. However, MUW responded in the bottom half with another run, cementing a 5-2 win.

GAME NOTES

• Alayla Thornton provided a spark with a two-run homer, recording both RBIs for the Red Devils.
• Mackenzie Daniels led Eureka with two hits in four at-bats.

UP NEXT

Eureka will look for its first SLIAC win on Tuesday, April 1, as the Red Devils travel to Principia for a doubleheader starting at 3:00 p.m.