Eagles Bring The Boom To Cuba, Fall Short To Pacific

The Eagles (10-8) entered week six on a high note but closed it with a tough battle on the road.

They first beat the brakes off the Wildcats (2-10) 8-1 at home on Apr. 22. Sullivan led 5-0 over Cuba after two innings and never let off the gas pedal. 

The Eagles struggled to keep up their same speed the following day. They lost grip of their tied game with Pacific (8-2) and ended up falling 6-3 to cap off the week.

The Eagles currently hold a 3-2 record in Four Rivers play. Pacific is 4-1, with their only loss being to Union, who remains undefeated at 6-0.

Sullivan 8, Cuba 1

Mahlon Foster started on the mound against Cuba. He held the Wildcats from reaching home plate during the first four innings. The sophomore fired three strikeouts while only giving up two walks and a hit.

In the past few weeks, Foster has worked on blocking out the noise while pitching, only concentrating on the catcher’s glove. He explained, “Some strategies I use to focus are to work ahead in counts and to think like a hitter to know what to throw. I just focus on the game and the task at hand and control the things I can control.”

Foster was also a force at the plate against Cuba, going 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run. Then, as a shortstop, he clutched the game-winning out in the bottom of the seventh.

Head Coach Ian Whitson awarded Foster the Most Valuable Player Belt after helping beat the Wildcats.

Anden Carey followed in the pitching rotation, hurling a strikeout but allowing four walks and an earned run.

Wyatt Henricks came in for relief, striking out four batters and surrendering two walks.

Kaden Smith slammed the door shut on Cuba with two strikeouts.

Raiden Redd had a team-high 2 RBIs while batting 2-for-4 and punching it home once.

Landen Doza led Sullivan with two runs and went 2-for-3 when hitting. He also drove Foster home on his RBI single.

Drake Gawer, Mitchell Garner and Alex Toews each blasted an RBI.

Chase Blue broke loose with two hits and a run.

Nolan Ulrich walked to first base and crossed the dish once.

Nathan Garcia and Kaden Smith also reached the board for Sullivan.

Nate McReynolds landed a hit while Kaedon Woodruff logged a walk.

Pacific 6, Sullivan 3

The Indians started on top with three runs against Sullivan in the first inning. 

The Eagles climbed back onto the board during the top of the fourth. Valley belted a two-RBI double, bringing Gawer and Redd home to break Sullivan’s drought. Carey then reached first base on a dropped third strike, allowing McReynolds to tie the game 3-3.

The Indians would pick up another run in the bottom of the fifth and two more in the sixth, but Sullivan struggled to respond.

Jake Collier struck out twelve Eagles in the first five innings. Gavin Haddox followed on the mound, recording 4 Ks while allowing no earned runs, hits, or walks. 

Gawer was Sulllivan’s starting pitcher in the conference clash. He pounded three strikeouts and gave up four walks, three earned runs, and two hits.

McReynolds came out of the bullpen during the fourth inning. He struck out two batters while surrendering two hits, two walks and an earned run.

Redd was Sullivan’s closer in the bottom of the sixth and allowed a hit.

Valley led the Eagles at the plate with 2 RBIs on his single. 

Gawer and Redd both collected a run and a walk.

McReynolds recorded a run and a hit.

Doza, Blue, Ulrich and Carey each took a walk.