Red Devils Fall Short in Home Opener Against Knox

EUREKA, Ill. – The Eureka baseball team hosted its home opener on Sunday, facing Knox in a doubleheader at Henry Sand Field. The Red Devils battled hard in both contests, coming up just short in a 4-3 loss in Game 1 before falling 8-3 in Game 2.

GAME 1 – Eureka 3, Knox 4

The Red Devils came up just short in a 4-3 loss to Knox on Sunday at Henry Sand Field.

Eureka had an early scoring opportunity in the second inning when Jon Leon Guerrero (Temecula, Calif./Great Oak) singled to right field and advanced to third on an error. However, the Red Devils were unable to capitalize the inning ended scoreless.

In the fourth inning, Eureka finally broke through. Guerrero singled again, and Brandt King (Rockford, Ill./Stillman Valley) followed with a double to left field, bringing Guerrero home to tie the game at 1-1.

Knox responded in the fifth inning with a decisive three-run rally, highlighted by a bases-clearing single from Jones, giving the Prairie Fire a 4-1 lead.

The Red Devils fought back in the seventh. Gabe Peters (Washington, Ill./Washington) singled to right, and Noah Company (Le Roy, Ill./Le Roy) followed with an RBI double to make it 4-2. Joshua Frenden (New Port Richey, Fla./River Ridge) then came through with a pinch-hit single to center, scoring Company and cutting the deficit to one. However, Eureka's rally fell just short as Knox held on for the win.

GAME NOTES

• Noah Company went 1-for-3 with a double, an RBI, and a run scored.
• Brandt King recorded a double, an RBI, and two walks.
• Jon Leon Guerrero had a strong day at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a run scored.
• Mike Dunne (Bartonville, Ill./Limestone) pitched five innings, allowing three earned runs on five hits while striking out three.
• Sheldon Geuvens (Eureka, Ill./Eureka) was solid in relief, throwing two scoreless innings while allowing just one hit and striking out one.

GAME 2 – Eureka 3, Knox 8

Eureka dropped its second game of the day, falling 8-3 to Knox on Sunday at Henry Sand Field.

The Red Devils quickly responded after the Prairie Fire took an early lead in the first inning. Noah Company singled, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt and stole third, then scored on a groundout by Joshua Frenden to tie the game at 1-1.

Eureka took the lead in the second inning, capitalizing on Knox's defensive miscues. Ethan Hedge (Pekin, Ill./Pekin) doubled and later scored when Ethan McDonald (Mannford, Okla./Mannford) reached on an error, putting the Red Devils ahead 2-1.

Knox, however, took control in the third with a four-run inning, fueled by a string of singles and a key two-RBI hit by Thomas. The Red Devils were unable to answer back, going down in order in their half of the inning.

Eureka added one last run in the seventh when Grant Hackney (Morton, Ill./Morton), pinch-hitting, launched a solo home run to right field. Despite the late spark, Knox maintained its lead and secured the 8-3 victory.

GAME NOTES

• Ethan Hedge went 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored.
• Grant Hackney delivered off the bench, hitting a solo home run.
• Noah Company contributed a hit, stolen base, and a run scored.
• Aaron Cabrera (Tucson, Ariz./Ironwood Ridge) struck out seven batters in 2 2/3 innings but allowed four earned runs and five walks.

UP NEXT

The Red Devils will look to bounce back as they host Maranatha Baptist for a home doubleheader on Monday, Mar. 10. Game 1 is set for noon, with Game 2 to follow at Henry Sand Field.