Eutectics drop a pair to open the season

BRANSON, MO – The Eutectics opened the 2026 season in ideal weather at the Branson Bash, but ended up getting swept in their opening day doubleheader, falling to Doane 4-1 in game one and then 9-0 to Evangel in game two. In game one, UHSP got right to work offensively scoring a run in the first, but that is all they could muster against the Tigers. In the second game, Madi Bentley tossed a one-hitter for the Valor as they blanked the Eutectics in a five-inning affair.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS:

DOANE 4, UHSP 1

• Hallie Roper picked right back up where she left off a season ago. Roper was the second-leading hitter for the Eutectics a year ago with a .381 batting average. Three batters into the new campaign, Roper made it a 1-0 UHSP lead with a line-drive double to left to score Alicia Kimble who led off the inning by reaching on an error and stealing second. Roper went 1-for-2 in the game.
• The Tigers scored two in the third and two in the fourth, thanks in part to a pair of Eutectic errors. Two of the four runs were unearned.
• Sydney Hinojosa returned to the Eutectics' lineup after missing all of last year due to injury. She went 1-for-3 with a stolen base.
• Milannie Gonzalez paced the Doane offense going 3-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI. Addison Parsons went 2-for-2 with a run batted in.
• Talianna Joyner tossed all six frames for UHSP. She yielded nine hits while walking one but striking out five.
• Natalie Ascencio picked up the win allowing just four hits, walking one and fanning four over five innings. Lauren Dick earned the save allowing a pair of hits over her two innings of work.

EVANGEL 9, UHSP 0 (5 INNINGS)

• Evangel's Naomi Perkins was 2-for-3 and scored twice for an offense that banged out ten hits in the game. Danielle Cutbirth and Lauren Dill each drove in a pair.
• Trysten Murphy had the lone hit for the Eutectics as she was 1-for-2.
• UHSP starter Emma Henley got touched for six runs on five hits in one inning of work. She walked two while striking out one.
• Bentley struck out six and walked a pair around the one hit she allowed as she went all five innings.

NEXT UP:

The Eutectics (0-2) play another twin-bill on Saturday at the Branson Bash as they will meet Graceland at 11:00a followed by a contest against former AMC-rival William Woods at 1:00p. It is all part of a 12-game road trip to open the season for UHSP as they do not play at home until March 1 when they host Peru State.