Frey Sets Home Run Record as Softball Sweeps Eureka

EUREKA, IL -- Blackburn College Softball visited St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference rival Eureka College for a doubleheader and came home with two wins as they swept the Red Devils 11-1 and 8-5. In the game, junior Kenadee Frey hit her 20^th career home run to break the all-time home run record in school history.

Freshman Kharma Giles led the team with five hits, adding a run and a double to her day. Senior Caroline Gibson had four hits and three runs along with two runs batted in. Freshman Alexis Weber also had four hits and scored a team-best four runs with two runs batted in.

Senior Zoe Mitchell posted three hits and led the squad by hitting in five runs. She also scored a run and had a triple.

Senior Shelby Koenig three 10 strikeouts and allowed just one run while senior Michelle Hollon added five strikeouts.

The Beavers jumped out early in the opener and took early control. In the first inning, Weber singled to open the game and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from senior Kailynn Kruep. Gibson advanced her to third with a single before Mitchell knocked her in with a single. Gibson also scored on the play thanks to a Red Devil throwing error that moved Mitchell to third. Mitchell then scored on a wild pitch.

Senior Sierra Hiser walked before Weber and Kruep singled to load the bases for Gibson in the second inning. Gibson walked to score Hiser then Mitchell cleared the bases with a triple and put BC ahead 7-0.

In the third inning, freshman Addison Ruyle singled and Giles doubled to move Ruyle to third. A wild pitch allowed Giles to third and Ruyle to score before Giles scored on a ball hit by Hiser to make it 9-0 before Eureka scored their lone run in their fourth inning.

The fifth inning saw Weber single to score Hiser and Maddox and gave BC the 11-1 win in five innings.

Blackburn again jumped ahead early in the nightcap. Weber got to second off an error by Eureka and stole third before Kruep knocked her in with a single. After Gibson singled, Frey hit her record-setting home run and put the Beavers ahead 4-0.

Hiser doubled to open the second inning and Weber singled to move Hiser to third. Kruep knocked Hiser in and advanced Weber to third before stealing second. Gibson followed with a single and scored Weber before Mitchell singled and scored Kruep, making it a 7-0 Blackburn lead.

Eureka responded by scoring a run in the third, three runs in the fifth and another run in the sixth to pull within 7-5 but Blackburn extended their lead in the seventh when freshman Elexus Frey pinch ran and scored on a Maddox single to give the Beavers the 8-5 win.

With the wins, Blackburn moves to 19-19 on the season, and will host Principia College Saturday. The team will also honor their seniors as part of the day's activities.