WOOD RIVER — A dominant outing from Ellie Beachum wasn’t enough for the East Alton-Wood River Oilers Wednesday, as they fell 3-1 to Civic Memorial in a tightly contested matchup.
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Beachum was impressive in the circle, striking out 11 batters over a complete game effort. She allowed just four hits and three runs across seven innings while walking two.
Pitching proved to be the story on both sides, as Civic Memorial matched the Oilers’ intensity with 10 strikeouts of their own.
Civic Memorial struck first in the opening inning when Emma Wade grounded out to bring home a run, giving the Eagles an early 1-0 lead.
The Oilers answered quickly in the bottom half of the inning. Emily Fry delivered an RBI single to center field, tying the game at 1-1 and providing East Alton-Wood River with early momentum.
However, Civic Memorial regained control in the second inning. Olivia Monroe doubled to center field to drive in a run, and Kerrigan Loewen followed with an RBI single down the right field line to extend the lead to 3-1.
That would be all the offense Civic Memorial needed. Monroe earned the win in the circle, tossing a complete game while allowing four hits and one run — none of them earned — while striking out 10 and walking three.
Fry paced the Oilers offensively, going 2-for-3 with an RBI. Monroe, Zoey Hunt, Loewen, and Maria Phillips each recorded a hit for Civic Memorial, while Monroe, Wade, and Loewen each drove in a run.
The Oilers will look to rebound quickly as they hit the road to face Hillsboro on Thursday.
