Blanton, Ulrich Fuel District Championship Run
As a freshman three years ago, Kloey Blanton helped lead the charge in a game where Sullivan played the underdog in the district championship.
Facing top-seeded Helias, Blanton had three RBIs, which included a two-run homer in the third inning that built up a 5-1 lead.
Sullivan would go on to win that game 7-5 and take second place in Class 3.
On Friday, Blanton again led the rally.
Her bases-loaded double in the third inning pushed Sullivan past Pacific for good in the Lady Eagles’ 9-4 victory.
After bunting into a double play in the first, Blanton finished with three hits. She also made a huge defensive play in the seventh, throwing out Taylor Hanger from deep in the hole at short.
On a team where opposing coaches game plan around the big bats of Addison Purvis, Hannah Cox and Hanna Johanning, Blanton has given Sullivan a steady presence at the plate and the field.
“Kloey has been my starting shortstop for the last four years and she will be tough shoes to fill,” said Lady Eagles head coach Ashley Crump. “She wants to get (to the state championship) and have the best ending to her career she can possibly have.”
Blanton has upped her average to .350.
While her high school career is winding down, freshman Kayla Ulrich is just getting started.
Ulrich had two big hits on Friday. She started rallies in three at-bats and is hitting .400 with 11 doubles.
Crump moved Ulrich to leadoff against Rock Bridge earlier in the week.
“We needed someone in that spot,” she said. “We knew she was going to break out. You could see the healthy cuts, the confidence and now here she is.”
Ulrich has a hit in eight straight games.
For Sullivan to reach the Final Four for the third time in four seasons, they need the lineup to be formidable all the way through.
Crump said Purvis’ injury two weeks earlier was a wake up call.
“A lot of the players have realized they can’t leave it up to someone else,” she said. “You have to do your own job. (Kloey and Kayla) have taken it and ran with it.”