Eutectics can't extend weekend success into McKendree game

LEBANON, IL – A non-conference matchup against McKendree turned into a tough Monday afternoon for the Eutectics as the Bearcats jumped out to a 10-0 lead and eventually cruised to a 15-4 win over UHSP. The fourth inning was the turning point in the game. UHSP loaded the bases with one out as Logan Stribling was hit by a pitch, Dustin Aleck walked and Brandon Gibbs singled to right to load the bases for Jordan Gonzalez and Ethan Harrell. Gonzalez hit into infield fly pop out to second and Harrell struck out to end the threat as the Eutectics left them loaded. In the home half of the fourth leading 4-0, Chyran Cruse drilled a leadoff homerun to left and Javy Garcia later in the inning capped a six-run, two-homer frame with a three-run no-doubt-about-it shot to left center to put the Cats on top 10-0.

GAME 1 HIGHLIGHTS:

• Deklan Riggs got the start for UHSP and lasted just one inning escaping trouble after walking a pair.
• The Bearcats built a 4-0 lead in the second inning. Javy Garcia scored from third on a throwing error when Hunter Sherman stole second and Harrell's throw went into center field. Later in the frame, Harrison Toone and Peyton Bittle hit back-to-back RBI doubles with Bittle's plating a pair.
• Dustin Aleck scored the Eutectics' first run on a wild pitch in the sixth. UHSP scored three more in the seventh when Wyatt Waters doubled in a pair and Brandon Gibbs singled Waters home.
• McKendree capped their scoring with five runs in the sixth on four hits. Max Meuli and Toone had RBI singles, Shane Noel was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to drive in a run and Isaiah Hoelscher plated a pair with a single up the middle.
• Adam Keeney started on the mound for the Bearcats and went four scoreless innings, scattering three hits, striking out seven and walking one.
• Holden Campbell toed the rubber in the second and allowed four Bearcat runs, three earned on four hits with a walk and a strikeout.
• Matthew McDonald endured the six-run fourth, walking two and yielding four hits for UHSP.
• Wyatt Waters allowed all five runs in the McKendree sixth. He walked one, fanned one and allowed four hits.
• JD Barnes was the only of the three McKendree relievers that all went one inning each to not allow a run. He struck out two and walked one, picking up the win.
• McKendree's Carson Richardson allowed a run in the sixth and Garin Geitz allowed two runs in the seventh. UHSP used eight pitchers in the game.
• This was the first-ever game between UHSP and McKendree.

UP NEXT:

The Eutectics (6-9, 3-5 AMC) will return to AMC play on Friday and Saturday when they play their four-game series against the reigning AMC Tournament champions, Missouri Baptist Spartans (11-3, 6-0 AMC). MBU enters the game on a 9-game winning streak. Both doubleheaders begin at 12:00p.