Eureka’s Four-Run Rally Downs Lady Eagles

Kileigh Grisham’s two-run homer in the top of the seventh inning Friday pushed Eureka past Sullivan 7-3 and helped the Lady Wildcats advance to the semifinals of the Peoples Bank Back To School Classic.

Since the game was tied after the time limit, the teams used the international tie breaker of putting a runner on second base.

Ashley Poore was sent to second and advanced to third on a bunt by Emily Rieske. Grisham homered on the first pitch she saw from Addison Purvis, giving Eureka a 5-3 lead. The Wildcats continued the scoring with a double by Rylie Inglis, who stole third and scored on a fielder’s choice. Megan Moll scored on a ground out one batter later to give Eureka a 7-3 lead.

Sullivan fell behind 1-0 in the top of the third on a two-out double by Grisham, but climbed on top with three runs in the bottom half. Mady Stahl was hit by AJ Howard’s pitch. She stole second and advanced to third when Kylee Thomure reached on a dropped third strike. Kloey Blanton bunted Thomure to second, bringing up Purvis. Purvis grounded into a fielder’s choice that caught Stahl at home, but loaded the bases. Hannah Cox drove in Thomure with a ground out to first, tying the game. Kamryn Lohden broke the tie with a two-run single to right that put Sullivan up 3-1.

Eureka chipped away. Moll led off the fourth with a triple and scored on a one-out fielder’s choice. Purvis struck out the next two batters to preserve the lead. She also stranded the tying run at second.

Eureka tied the game in the sixth when Moll doubled to right. Moll scored on a sacrifice bunt by Howard.

Anna Harper singled, but Purvis struck out Zoe Sutter. Sydney Dennis reached on catcher’s interference, putting two runners on for Poore, who flew out to center.

Howard kept the Lady Eagles off the board from there. She retired the last six batters she faced. She gave up just three hits, struck out five and didn’t allow a walk. Purvis and Lohden had Sullivan’s only hits, with Lohden collecting two.

Purvis struck out 13 batters and walked just two.