Eureka Offense Explodes in Sweep of Principia

EUREKA, Ill. – The Eureka College softball team delivered a dominant performance at home on Saturday afternoon, sweeping Principia in a SLIAC doubleheader by scores of 11-3 in six innings and 23-5 in five innings.

GAME 1: Eureka 11, Principia 3 (6 innings)

Principia jumped out to an early lead in the opener with a two-run home run in the top of the first inning, but Eureka responded and took control late to secure the run-rule victory.

Breannyn Dixon (Newark, Ill./Newark Community) reached on a walk in the second inning, stole second, and eventually stole home to cut the deficit to 2-1. Later in the inning, Kaitlyn Robinson (Macomb, Ill./Macomb) singled, stole second, and came around to score on a base hit from Tylar Whitaker (Country Club Hills, Ill./Rich Township) to even the game at 2-2.

After Principia briefly regained the lead with a run in the fourth, Eureka answered in the bottom half. Robinson led off with a single before Lexi Liptak (Lemont, Ill./Lemont) followed with a hit to put runners on the corners. Whitaker drove in a run with a groundout, and Liptak later scored on a passed ball to give Eureka a 4-3 advantage.

The Red Devils broke the game open in the fifth inning as Shaylun Christenberry (Brocton, Ill./Shiloh) and Robinson delivered back-to-back triples to spark the offense. Whitaker added an RBI single, and Ashlyn Voyles (Farmer City, Ill./ Blue Ridge) capped the inning with a two-out, two-run single to extend the lead to 8-3.

Eureka ended the game in the sixth inning behind Dixon's solo home run, her second of the season, and consecutive extra-base hits. Christenberry and Robinson hit back-to-back doubles before Liptak delivered a walk-off RBI double to secure the 11-3 win.

Robinson earned the win in the circle, tossing a complete game while allowing three runs on six hits and striking out a career-high nine. She also led the offense, going 4-for-4 with a double, a triple, two RBIs, three runs scored, and two stolen bases. Whitaker finished 3-for-4 with three RBIs, one run scored, and two stolen bases, while Liptak went 2-for-3 with a walk, one RBI, two runs scored, and two stolen bases. Voyles added two hits, two RBIs, and a walk, and Christenberry recorded two hits, including a double and a triple, with two runs scored.

GAME 2: Eureka 23, Principia 5 (5 innings)

Eureka's offense exploded early and never slowed down in the second game, scoring 23 runs in just three innings to secure another run-rule victory.

The Red Devils plated eight runs in the first inning, taking advantage of six hit batters, three walks, and two hits from Liptak. Eureka followed with another eight-run inning in the second, highlighted by a double from Christenberry, a two-run single from Kayleigh Zerrusen (Teutopolis, Ill./Teutopolis), and a two-run double from Voyles.

Eureka continued to pour it on in the third inning. Maisie Bowers (Champaign, Ill./Champaign Central) singled, Kacie Morris (Billings, Mont./Skyview) delivered a two-run double, and Zerrusen capped the scoring with a three-run home run, the first of her career, to give the Red Devils a commanding 23-0 lead.

Principia scored five runs in the fifth inning, but the deficit proved too large as Eureka secured the 23-5 victory.

Zerrusen led the offense, going 2-for-3 with six RBIs, three runs scored, a walk, and a home run. Voyles reached base in all four plate appearances, finishing 1-for-1 with a double, three walks, four RBIs, and three runs scored. Liptak went 3-for-5 with two RBIs and three runs scored, adding a stolen base, while Christenberry added a double. In the circle, Christenberry earned her first career win, pitching 3.2 innings while allowing three runs on four hits with two strikeouts. Makayla Johnson (Georgetown, Texas/East View) tossed a scoreless inning in relief, retiring the side in order in the fourth, and Izabella Payne (Lexington, Ill./Lexington) recorded her first career strikeout before Christenberry re-entered to finish the game.

UP NEXT

Eureka returns to action Sunday morning for another SLIAC doubleheader, hosting MUW. First pitch is scheduled for 10 a.m., as the Red Devils look to hand the Owls their first conference loss of the season.