For Immediate Release

eureka, illinois

April 9, 2008

Koerner pitches 4.1 shutout IP, 3 hits in DH at Webster

Boxscores: Game 1 | Game 2

SAUGET, Ill. — Eureka College was defeated twice by Webster University on the road Sunday by scores of 3-2 and 8-2, meaning the home team won all three games in the series after Eureka won the first game,
10-7, over the Gorloks the previous day.

Red Devils pitchers Kyle Buchanan (Fairbury, Ill./Prairie Central) and Kyle Koerner (LeRoy, Ill./HS) surrendered just one hit in the first game to Webster (9-9, 5-1 SLIAC), though five walks and two hit batters factored into the decision as well.

Already leading 1-0 entering the frame, Webster tacked on two more tallies despite not getting a hit in the second inning.  An error, hit batter and three walks led to two unearned runs and a 3-0 deficit for Eureka
(7-13, 7-5 SLIAC).  Koerner moved from shortstop to the mound with two outs in the inning, and went on to throw 4.1 innings of shutout relief, with no hits, two walks and three strikeouts.  He ended the game by retiring the last seven batters he faced.

The Red Devils got on the board in the top of the fourth as Alex Rosenbeck (Bridgeview, Ill./Argo) drove in Benji Cashdollar (Morton, Ill./HS) with a two-out double.  Eureka got within 3-2 in the next inning following Tyler Glaub's (Metamora, Ill./HS) solo home run.  It was Glaub's second home run in as many games versus Webster.

Both sides went down in order in the sixth, keeping the margin at one.  Eureka got a runner on base with one out in the seventh on a walk to Nick Knoblauch (Metamora, Ill./HS), but could not push the tying run across as a strikeout and ground ball ended the game.

Both offenses struggled to generate scoring chances.  Each club got the lead off batter on base just once in the game.  Eureka led in hits 4-1.

The Red Devils got off to a better start in the nightcap, but could not hold on to a 2-0 lead.  Eureka received a walk and hit batter in the first inning, and took a 1-0 advantage on an RBI ground out by Brent Miller
(Arcola, Ill./HS).

A lead off walk led to another EC run in the second as Knoblauch reached base to start the frame and scored on a throwing error after Koerner had singled.  The Red Devils were threatening for more with two on base and only one out, but a double play ended the rally.

The game turned in Webster's favor after that.  Gorlok relief pitchers Eric Broughton and John DuHadway allowed seven hits, but no runs over six innings, giving their squad time to post a comeback victory.

Webster tied the game on a two-run homer by Greg Steen in the second before taking the lead with three unearned runs in the third.

Both offenses kept the pressure on, but only Webster was able to take advantage.  Eureka was 4-for-19 with runners on base compared to 8-for-17 for Webster.  The Red Devils wound up leaving 10 runners on base in the seven-inning affair, while the Gorloks stranded five.

Koerner had the most hits in the game, recording his second 3-for-3 effort this season.  Mike Wagner (Chicago, Ill./St. Rita) went 2-for-2 in game two and a perfect 3-for-3 on the day.  Clay McConkey (Fairview, Ill./Spoon River Valley) lost for the first time in four starts.  He fanned five batters over five innings, giving up seven runs (four earned) on 10 hits and two walks.

Eureka's game Tuesday at home versus Monmouth was postponed.  The Red Devils are next slated to play Wednesday, April 9 at Blackburn College.  The first pitch for the SLIAC doubleheader is set to 1:00 pm.

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For More Information Contact:

Brian Sullivan
Sports Information Director
Eureka College
300 E. College Avenue
Eureka, Illinois 61530
309-467-6456
bsullivan@eureka.edu