Eutectics Sweep First-Ever Series with Ecclesia

AFFTON, MO.  – The Eutectic softball team swept a non-conference double header on Wednesday in the program's first-ever meeting with Ecclesia College (Ark.)(7-21) at the UHSP home field at Affton Athletic Association. The Eutectics came from behind in both games to claim the win, with Hallie Roper pinch hitting a 2-out, 2-RBI walk-off double to clinch Game 2.   

GAME 1 HIGHLIGHTS:

UHSP 9, Ecclesia 4

• After allowing three Ecclesia Royal runs in the first two innings, including a home run by D. Reed,  the Eutectic bats finally found their marks, tying the game in the bottom of the third with Hunter Noto, Hallie Roper, and Lexi Knoll notching RBI singles.
• Roper (single) and Marissa Koonce (double) combined for three RBIs in the fourth to push the Euts into the lead at 6-3 in the bottom of the fourth.
• Kailey Samora hit a 2-RBI triple in the fifth and was sent home on a groundout to put the Euts up 9-3.
• The Royals made a final push in the top of the seventh, scoring one more run on a walk, but could not catch the Purple and Gold before the final out.  
• The Eutectics utilized four pitchers in the game, with Lexi Knoll claiming the win after pitching the fourth and fifth innings, allowing no runs, two hits, and recording one strikeout.
• The UHSP team out hit the Royals 14-8.
• Samora and Roper were each 3-for-4 at the plate with Samora crossing home plate three times and recording two RBIs, while Roper had 3 RBIs and one run. Kaylin Haas went 2-for-2 with a double and two runs scored. Payton McClellan recorded two stolen bases.

GAME 2 HIGHLIGHTS:

UHSP 6, Ecclesia 5

• The Eutectics took a 2-0 lead off a Trysten Murphy double that send Noto and Samora home.
• The Royals scored one run in the tops of two and three to tie it two apiece.
• In the bottom of the third, Kianna Pilling doubled to left-center scoring Knoll to reclaim the lead for the Euts.
• In the top of the fourth, Ecclesia scored two runs off three hits to go up 4-3.
• After a quite fifth inning, Samora hit an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth to score Hannah Buzynski and tie it back up at 4-4.
• In their final at-bat, the Royals hit two doubles to score one run and take the lead, putting the pressure on the Euts to score in the bottom of the seventh.
• With two outs after two batters, the Eutectics' Mackenzie Nelson singled to center field, offering a glimmer of hope. Then, a Royal error allowed Burzynski to reach first and advance pinch runner Jacie Knox to scoring position at second. That was when Hallie Roper stepped up to the plate and blasted a 2-run double to left center, scoring Knox and pinch runner Eva Kameoka to clinch the game and series sweep.
• Four pitchers saw action for the Eutectics, with Trysten Murphy starting out the game with five hits, three walks, two earned runs, and one strikeout in three innings. Ecclesia's Ariana Ortiz picked up four strikeouts and gave up five earned runs and 13 hits in the 6.2 innings on the mound.
• Pilling, Murphy, and Roper all hit RBI doubles for the Eutectics, while Payton Reinbott went 2-for-3 from the plate. The Eutectics finished the game with 13 hits.

NEXT UP:

With Wednesday's victories, the Eutectics broke into double digits for wins, now 10-18 for the season. On Saturday, the UHSP team looks to improve its American Midwest Conference (AMC) record of 3-9, hosting Cottey College (Mo.)(15-18, 5-6 AMC) for a doubleheader starting a 1 p.m. at Affton Athletic Association.