Baseball Back On Track; Shells Eureka 11-8, 16-3

Published: April 13, 2021

EUREKA, Ill. Looking to find their groove in 2011, Greenville Baseball (4-14, 3-1 SLIAC) headed to Eureka Ill. for an afternoon double-header against SLIAC opponent Eureka College. The GC club was firing on all cylinders Tuesday, as they displayed their best performance of the season, downing the Red Devils 11-8 in the opener, and 16-3 in the finale.

Senior Kyle Hobar was hot in Tuesdays double-dip, as he peppered Eurekas Henry Sand Field on his way to a 6-for-8 performance on the day. Hobar went 3-for-4 at the plate in the first game with an RBI and run scored, and mirrored that effort with another 3-for-4 effort in game two while adding three more runs.

In game one Greenville trailed 7-1 after four, but used a big six-run fifth inning to even the score heading into the sixth. GCs David Massengill slugged a clutch three-run triple to put the Panthers back in contention, while Hobar and Justin Hubbard delivered timely RBI rips to close the margin.

Answering the surge by Greenville, Eureka added a go-ahead run in the sixth to put the pressure on the Panther Club moving into the seventh and final inning.

With runners on second and third with one away in the seventh, an intentional walk sent Justin Hubbard to first and juiced the bases in a potential double-play situation. Freshman catcher Alex Quirin, not intimidated, stepped up to plate and blasted a grand-slam deep to center that gave GC the 11-8 lead.

Sophomore pitcher Scotty Voyles relieved Wes Letizia in the bottom of the seventh and earned the save, surrendering only one hit while posting a strikeout and forcing a DP ball to end the opener and clinch the win 11-8.

In the capper Greenville showcased true consistency offensively, using 15 hits to manufacture 16 runs in 38 team at-bats. Daniel Covert led the Panthers at the plate, batting 3-for-4 with five runs scored and two RBI.

Greenville paced themselves throughout the seven inning contest, posting a 7-2 lead after three. GC added three insurance runs in the fourth, two in the sixth, and four in the seventh to cruise to the 16-3 victory.

On the mound, Massengill (2-1) picked up the win going four innings, surrendering three earned on five hits, and notching eight strikeouts.

Greenville Baseball will turn back around tomorrow, Wednesday, April 6, as they play host to Webster at 1:00 pm in the seasons series finale.