UHSP Sweeps Knox DH in 10 Innings

GALESBURG, IL – The Eutectic softball team wasted no time defeating the NCAA Division III Knox College Prairie Fire (5-11) on their home field on Tuesday afternoon. The UHSP dominated on offense, winning each game in just five innings due to the 10-run rule.

GAME 1 HIGHLIGHTS:

UHSP 11, KNOX 1

• Alicia Kimble kicked off the UHSP scoring party, hitting a double to center field, stealing third, and then scoring on an error. Hits from Trysten Murphy and Ryleigh Davidson, along with another Knox error, pushed one more run home for UHSP in the first inning to take a 2-0 lead.
• The Eutectics took advantage of another error by the Prairie Fire to score on more run off two hits in the second.
• It was the third inning that really put the game in the pocket of the UHSP team, as the Eutectics ran through their entire lineup, scoring seven runs on six hits, including doubles from Jordan Schell and Trysten Murphy.
• The Eutectics scored one more run in the top of the fourth off one hit and a walks.
• Meanwhile, Eutectic starting pitcher Emma Henley was perfect through four innings, but Knox's Cheyanne Merkel was able to get a single in the bottom of the fifth and would score on an error to prevent the shutout. Henley would finish the game with five strikeouts, no walks, and no earned runs.
• The Eutectics racked up five stolen bases and notched 14 hits on 30 at-bats against Knox pitchers Maddie Hicks (3 innings) and Zoe Abbott, who combined for two strikeouts, four walks, and eight earned runs.
• Trysten Murphy went 3-for-3 from the plate, racking up two RBIs and scoring two runs.

GAME 2 HIGHLIGHTS:

UHSP 11, KNOX 0

• The Eutectics maintained the momentum through Game 2, starting off the top of the first with five runs off four hits, two walks, two wild pitches, and one error.    
• UHSP would score two more in the second inning off two hits, two walks, and an error to go up 7-0.
• Another Knox error would push Alicia Kimble, who singled to get on, across the plate in the third inning to make it 8-0.  
• Three more hits from the UHSP offense, including a double from Averi Glosemeyer would score two more runs in the fourth to get to 10-0.
• In the top of the fifth, Ryleigh Davidson's single scored Emma Henley, who had reached on an error, to make it 11-0.
• Talianna Joyner pitched five innings for the Eutectic win, striking out six, walking four, and giving up one hit.
• Ryleigh Davidson finished the game with three hits on four at-bats, recording two RBIs and one run.
• With the doubleheader sweep, the Eutectics surpass their win total from last season. UHSP is now two wins away from setting a new program record for most wins in a single season. Their current record was set in 2022 when they went 14-19. They also had their best showing in conference play that same season at 7-11. With eight conference games remaining, they are two wins away from matching those seven wins. 

UP NEXT:

The two wins push the Eutectics over the .500 mark, now holding a record of 13-11 overall (5-5 AMC). After rescheduling this weekend's games due to forecasted weather, the UHSP team will be back to American Midwest Conference (AMC) competition on Tuesday, Mar. 7, when they host Mission University (13-9, 2-2 AMC) for a doubleheader at Affton Athletic Association starting at 2 p.m. On Wednesday they host Central Baptist College (18-14, 3-1 AMC) for the rescheduled doubleheader.