Red Devils Rally to Sweep Maranatha Baptist in Doubleheader

EUREKA, Ill. – The Red Devils rallied in both games to sweep Maranatha Baptist in a doubleheader on Thursday. Eureka secured an 11-6 comeback win in Game 1 before delivering a dominant 11-3 victory in Game 2.

GAME 1 – Eureka 11, Maranatha Baptist 6

Eureka overcame an early deficit to claim an 11-6 victory over Maranatha Baptist in Game 1 on Thursday at Henry Sand Field.

Maranatha Baptist came out strong, scoring six runs on seven hits in the first inning. The Red Devils faced an uphill battle, finishing the first inning down 6-0.

However, Eureka responded in the second inning. Joshua Frenden (New Port Richey, Fla./River Ridge) singled and stole second before Brandt King (Rockford, Ill./Stillman Valley) crushed a two-RBI double, bringing the Red Devils within two at 6-4.

Eureka's offense exploded in the third inning, plating six more runs. Ben Perrine (Payson, Ill./Payson Seymour) and Frenden crossed home on another clutch double by King, who continued his stellar performance with two more RBIs. Ethan McDonald (Mannford, Okla./Mannford) followed with an RBI single, extending Eureka's lead to 10-6.

The Red Devils tacked on one more run in the fifth, as Gabe Peters (Washington, Ill./Washington) doubled and later scored on a balk, sealing an 11-6 advantage. The Eureka defense held firm, shutting down Maranatha Baptist for the remainder of the game.

GAME NOTES

• Brandt King shined at the plate, collecting four RBIs and two doubles.
• Joshua Frenden contributed two hits, two runs, and an RBI.
• Ethan McDonald had two RBIs and a hit while adding four defensive assists.
• Jon Leon Guerrero (Temecula, Calif./Great Oak) stole two bases after reaching via hit by pitch.

GAME 2 – Eureka 11, Maranatha Baptist 3

Eureka kept its momentum rolling in Game 2, securing an 11-3 victory over Maranatha Baptist.

The Red Devils got on the board in the second inning when Jon Leon Guerrero singled, stole second, and advanced to third on a passed ball before scoring on an Ethan Hedge (Pekin, Ill./Pekin) RBI single.

Eureka added another run in the third, as David Hidden (East Peoria, Ill./East Peoria) stole two bases and crossed home on a Conor Fitzpatrick (North Barrington, Ill./Barrington) RBI groundout.

The game broke open in the fourth inning with a commanding eight-run rally. Guerrero, Hedge, McDonald, and Mike Dunne (Bartonville, Ill./Limestone) all delivered timely hits, capitalizing on Maranatha Baptist errors. This offensive surge put the Red Devils up 10-0.

In the sixth, Jack Gualdoni (Macomb, Mich./Dakota) reached on a fielder's choice and later scored on another Maranatha Baptist defensive miscue, extending the lead to 11-1. Despite a two-run push by the Sabercats in the seventh, Eureka secured the 11-3 victory.

GAME NOTES

• Jon Leon Guerrero collected three hits, two runs, and a stolen base.
• Ethan Hedge recorded three hits and two RBIs.
• David Hidden delivered two hits (including a double), two runs, and two stolen bases.
• Jake Steele (Monmouth, Ill./Monmouth-Roseville) dominated on the mound, earning the win with a 0.75 WHIP over four innings, allowing just one hit while striking out six.

UP NEXT

Eureka takes on Wooster on the road Saturday, Mar. 15, for a doubleheader starting at 11 a.m.