Lady Eagles Split With Willard, West Plains In Tournament

The Sullivan Lady Eagles traveled to Killian Sports Complex in Springfield to compete in a weekend softball tournament. The Lady Eagles played two games on Friday. They continued their tournament the next day. Sullivan fell in their first game to Willard 4-2.

The Lady Eagles came back to win their second game on Friday against West Plains 6-5.

Willard

The Lady Tigers took control in the first inning and Sullivan couldn't keep up. Willard broke onto the board with a home run and added two more runs in the fourth. At the top of the first, Kayla Ulrich walked. Morgan Braun hit a line drive double after her. Ulrich scored when Jaedin Blankenship hit a ground out to first. Braun also advanced and Sullivan drew first blood. Willard took the lead by one, when Miller hit a home run.

The Lady Tigers added two more runs at the bottom of the fourth and Sullivan scored a run at the next at bat. After two outs, Ulrich walked again. Braun grounded into a fielder's choice and both runners were safe. Jaedin Blankenship delivered again when she scored Ulrich on a ground ball single. Sullivan fell, 4-2.

Evvie Blankenship was on the mound for Sullivan. She gave up four runs on four hits and recorded four strikeouts.

West Plains

Hayli Venable was the savior against West Plains. The Lady Eagles won with a walk off fielder's choice in late innings. Evvie Blankenship started on the mound for Sullivan and Jaedin Blankenship finished the game. Evvie lasted a little over two innings and had four runs on four hits. She also recorded a smooth six strikeouts. Jaedin finished out the day on the mound and picked up the win. She gave up one run on two hits. Jaedin tallied three strikeouts.

West Plains drew first blood at the top of the first and added three more runs at the top of the third. Sullivan returned fire at the bottom of the third. West Plains was already up by four when Carli McCreary was beaned by a pitch. Braun then hit a hard ground ball single and the runner advanced. Ulrich delivered on a fly ball double and a run came home. After an out, Evvie Blankenship singled on a fly ball and the bases were loaded. Dorie Richardson hit a successful sacrifice fly and another run was added.

West Plains added another run, but Sullivan tied up the game at their next at bat. Alexis Funkhouser singled on a hard ground ball and was followed by Hannah Campbell who did the same. After an out, Braun walked and the bases were loaded. Ulrich blasted a long line drive double that cleared the bases.

Sullivan secured the win at that last at bat. Ava DeClue was placed on second and Richardson reached on an error. Venable then bunt into a fielder's choice and the Lady Eagles won, 6-5.