Robinson’s Dominant Performance Not Enough in Doubleheader Loss

EAST PEORIA, Ill. – Despite a dominant outing from Kaitlyn Robinson (Macomb, Ill./Macomb) in the circle, Eureka dropped both ends of a doubleheader to Monmouth on Tuesday. Robinson kept the Scots scoreless through seven innings in the opener before Monmouth broke through in extra innings to take a 3-1 decision. The Red Devils were unable to stop Monmouth's bats in game two, falling 11-1 in the nightcap.

The games were moved to the EastSide Centre in East Peoria due to unplayable field conditions.

GAME 1: Monmouth 3, Eureka 1 (8 innings)

The opener developed into a pitcher's duel, with neither team scoring through the first seven innings.

Monmouth threatened early with back-to-back hits to open the game, but Robinson worked out of the jam with two strikeouts and a groundout. Eureka put two runners aboard in the bottom half as Olivia Hurst (Ava, Ill./Freeburg Community) singled and Ashlyn Voyles (Farmer City, Ill./Blue Ridge) walked, but could not capitalize.

Eureka continued to create chances throughout the game. In the third inning, Danika Apostolovich (Riverside, Ill./Riverside-Brookfield) and Tylar Whitaker (Country Club Hills, Ill./Rich Township) each singled to put runners in scoring position with one out, but Monmouth escaped with no damage done. The Red Devils again threatened in the fourth with consecutive singles from Kayleigh Zerrusen (Teutopolis, Ill./Teutopolis) and Lexi Liptak (Lemont, Ill./Lemont), but left both stranded.

Robinson continued to deal in the circle, retiring the side in order in the second, fourth, and seventh innings. She also worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the fifth with a strikeout and a flyout to preserve the scoreless tie.

In the eighth, Monmouth capitalized under the international tiebreaker rule, scoring three runs on a combination of a bunt single, RBI single, and sacrifice fly to take a 3-0 lead.

Eureka answered in the bottom half when Voyles doubled to drive in the inherited runner and cut the deficit to 3-1. Zerrusen later walked to put two runners on, but Monmouth held on to secure the win.

Hurst went 2-for-4 at the plate, while Voyles finished 1-for-2 with a double, a walk, and an RBI. Liptak added two hits and a walk.

Robinson tossed all 8.0 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on eight hits with three walks while tying her season high with seven strikeouts.

GAME 2: Monmouth 11, Eureka 1

Eureka struck first in the second game, taking a 1-0 lead in the opening inning. Liptak led off with a double and came around to score on a single by Whitaker.

Monmouth responded with two runs in the second to take the lead and gradually pulled away. The Scots added a run in the fourth before breaking the game open late.

Shaylun Christenberry (Brocton, Ill./Shiloh) started in the circle and kept Eureka within striking distance early, tossing 5.1 innings and allowing three runs on six hits with two strikeouts. Mallory Kohnen (New Athens, Ill./New Athens) and Izabella Payne (Lexington, Ill./Lexington) each saw relief action, with Payne making her debut in the circle.

Monmouth added three runs in the fifth and five more in the seventh to secure the 11-1 victory.

Zerrusen paced Eureka offensively in Game 2, going 2-for-3 with a double. Liptak finished 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored, while Whitaker added two hits and an RBI.

UP NEXT

Eureka returns to SLIAC play on Monday, traveling to Greenville for a doubleheader against the defending conference champions. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.