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For Immediate Releaseeureka, illinois
April 11, 2009
Cashdollar, McConkey freeze run-&-Gun Griffins in DH split
A four-run rally in the last inning and a great play by Fontbonne University's left fielder denied Eureka College a doubleheader sweep Saturday afternoon in a key St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference match up. Eureka won the first game 4-2 behind a brilliant pitching performance by Benji Cashdollar (Morton, Ill./HS), but remains a half-game behind Fontbonne in the league standings after falling to the Griffins 4-3 in the nightcap.
Fontbonne (16-11, 7-5 SLIAC) broke out of the gates gunning, taking advantage of a muffed double play ball in the top of the first to plate two runs on three hits. But the Griffins would be blanked the rest of the way by Cashdollar, who allowed only two hits and no runs over the final six frames.
The Red Devils (6-11-1, 6-5 SLIAC) pulled even in the second thanks to a big two-out double off the bat of Tyler Glaub (Metamora, Ill./HS) that was sent into the wind, yet over the left fielder's head. Nick Knoblauch (Metamora, Ill./HS) and Shawn Songer (Bartonville, Ill./Limestone), who both stood out even more for their work in the field than at the plate in the game, scored on Glaub's hit.
Eureka put pressure on the Fontbonne defense all day, and the Griffins faltered in the field in the third. Two errors by the Griffins' shortstop put runners on first and third. As Nick Eeten (Eureka, Ill./HS) was stealing second base, the throw bounced into the outfield, allowing Keith Moore (Hamilton, Ill./HS) to trot home with what turned out to be the winning tally.
In the fourth, Moore placed an RBI double just inside the right field line, allowing Glaub, who had singled and stole second, to give Eureka a 4-2 lead.
The two run cushion was plenty for Cashdollar. The lefty retired the final 10 Griffins he faced to improve to 3-1 on the season. He gave up five hits in the game, leading to two runs (one earned) in seven innings. Cashdollar recorded 12 ground ball outs, compared to only three fly ball outs. Consequently, the Eureka infielders were busy, and up to the task. Shortstop Kyle Koerner (LeRoy, Ill./HS) assisted on six outs, while Glaub had four assists at second and Songer had three at third.
Another key to the EC defense was limiting the Griffins' running game. Fontbonne came in sporting a league-leading 55 stolen bases on the season, but Cashdollar kept the runners close at first, and Knoblauch threw out two of the three attempting base stealers. The aggressive Griffins even became gun-shy in game two as they did not try any stolen bases.
The Red Devils' excellent pitching and defense carried over to the first six innings of game two. Although he did not record a strikeout, Eureka freshman starting pitcher Blake McConkey (Fairview, Ill./Spoon River Valley) shout down the Fontbonne attack, which entered the day averaging over seven runs per game with a .326 batting average. The Red Devils defense also sparkled in turning three ground ball double plays.
McConkey surrendered just four singles and no walks in six innings pitched as Eureka took a 2-0 lead into the seventh. He was lifted from the game in favor of his older brother, Clay, after Fontbonne's lead off hitter reached base on a dropped fly ball. Eureka got within one out of the win, but Blake Tolan lined a two-run single to right to knot the score at 2-2. Dan Horn followed with the Griffins' first, and only, extra base hit on the day as he buried a two-run double in the left center gap to move Fontbonne on top 4-2.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Griffins nearly handed the lead away that they had so miraculously obtained only moments earlier. After playing the first six innings without any miscues, Fontbonne committed three errors, giving Eureka a run to make the count 4-3, and the bases loaded with only one out. Benji Cashdollar lifted a fly ball to medium-depth left field, giving Glaub a chance to use his great speed to tag up at third and tie the game. But, Glaub was called out on a very close play at the plate, much to the chagrin of the partisan EC crowd. Josh Burlison's throw from left was strong, but off the mark a few feet. Fontbonne catcher Dan Horn had to dive at the last instant to apply the tag.
Eureka tallied a modest five hits in both games. Moore finished 2-for-6 on the day with two runs and half of the club's six runs batted in. He factored in to all three Eureka rallies in game two. He scored on Eeten's RBI single in the first, then made the score 2-0 with an RBI double in the fifth that brought in Songer.
Glaub was 2-for-4 with a stolen base, run and two RBIs. Koerner was 2-for-5 with a stolen base. The Red Devils have now allowed four runs or less in each of their last six conference games, while posting a 3-3 mark over that span.
Eureka has a busy home docket upcoming, but will travel to Maryville University for the next game, Monday, April 13 at 4:00 pm. This will be the third attempt to fit the game in after two prior rain-outs. Eureka is 4-1 all-time in SLIAC play against the Saints, who are currently in second place.
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For More Information Contact:
Bryan Moore
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