Robinson, Hurst Lead Eureka to Win Over Spalding

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Eureka softball team earned a split in Friday's doubleheader against Spalding, highlighted by a 3-1 victory in game two that marked the program's first win over the Golden Eagles since 2021.

Spalding controlled the opener, cruising to a 13-0 win in five innings before Eureka responded behind a strong pitching performance to secure the split.

GAME 1: Spalding 13, Eureka 0 (5 innings)

Spalding seized control early, plating seven runs in the first inning and adding four more in the second to build an 11-0 advantage. The Golden Eagles tacked on runs in the third and fourth innings while holding Eureka scoreless to complete the run-rule victory.

Eureka's best scoring chance came in the fourth inning. Lexi Liptak (Lemont, Ill./Lemont) led off with a single, and Tylar Whitaker (Country Club Hills, Ill./Rich Township) later added a single to put two runners on. Olivia Hurst (Ava, Ill./Freeburg Community) drew a walk to load the bases, but Spalding escaped the jam and kept the Red Devils off the board.

Liptak and Whitaker each finished 1 for 2 with a walk, with Whitaker also stealing a base. Mallory Kohnen (New Athens, Ill./New Athens) took the loss in the circle, allowing seven runs (six earned) on three hits in one inning of work.

GAME 2: Eureka 3, Spalding 1

Eureka bounced back in the nightcap behind an outstanding effort in the circle from Kaitlyn Robinson (Macomb, Ill./Macomb), who set the tone with four scoreless innings to open the contest.

The Red Devils broke through in the fourth inning. Ashlyn Voyles (Farmer City, Ill./Blue Ridge) led off with a single before Hurst delivered her first career home run, a two-run shot that gave Eureka a 2-0 lead. Breannyn Dixon (Newark, Ill./Newark Community) followed with a double, and Robinson helped her own cause with an RBI single to extend the lead to 3-0.

Spalding got on the board in the fifth, putting runners on second and third with no outs. Robinson limited the damage to one run, preserving a 3-1 advantage.

The Golden Eagles threatened again in both the sixth and seventh innings, putting multiple runners on base each time. In the sixth, Robinson fielded a ground ball and recorded a force out to end the inning. In the seventh, she retired the final two batters after Spalding brought the tying run to the plate, sealing the victory.

Robinson pitched a complete game, allowing one run on eight hits, tying for the fewest runs Eureka has ever allowed in a game against Spalding. She also went 2 for 3 with an RBI at the plate. Hurst finished 1 for 2 with a two-run home run, and Voyles went 2 for 4 with a run scored.

UP NEXT

Eureka returns to action Sunday with a nonconference doubleheader at Franklin, scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. ET.