Red Devils Drop Series Opener at Principia

ELSAH, Ill. – Eureka baseball dropped its series opener against Principia, falling 5-1 on Friday evening.

The Red Devils got on the board early in the first inning. Nate Cooley (Chillicothe, Ill./Illinois Valley Central) delivered a two-out double, and Dewrell Wesley (Mountain View, Calif./Los Altos) followed with an RBI single to give Eureka a 1-0 lead.

Ethan McDonald (Cleveland, Okla./Mannford) was sharp on the mound to start, holding Principia scoreless through the first five innings while keeping the Red Devils in front.

Principia broke through in the bottom of the sixth inning. After a walk and two singles loaded the bases, the Panthers capitalized with a grand slam to take a 4-1 lead.

The Panthers added an insurance run in the eighth inning with a solo home run, extending the lead to 5-1. Eureka was unable to respond offensively, as Principia closed out the game to secure the series-opening win.

Joshua Stanley (Huntsville, Texas/Huntsville) led Eureka at the plate, going 2-for-4. Camden Smith (Florence, Ala./Florence) reached base twice with a single and a walk. Cooley doubled and scored the Red Devils' lone run, while Wesley drove in Eureka's only RBI. Noah Company (Le Roy, Ill./Le Roy) also recorded a hit in the contest.

McDonald went 5.1 innings, allowing four runs on eight hits while striking out four. Connor Metz (Tinley Park, Ill./Victor J. Andrew) provided relief, tossing 2.2 innings and allowing one run on one hit while striking out four.

UP NEXT

Eureka closes its season Saturday with the final two games of its series against Principia. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 2 p.m., with the second game to follow.