AVA DECLUE has been an incredible pitcher and outfielder for the Lady Eagles. This season, she has collected 13 putouts, is undefeated in every game as starting pitcher and has a team-high batting average of .487. Photo by Wyatt Hardy.
Softball Faces Tough Loss To Union After Seven-Year Winning Streak
Union defeated Sullivan softball 17-7, marking the Lady Eagles’ first loss to the Wildcats in seven years, leaving them with a 7-7 record.
Despite the shutout, head coach Ashley Crump believes Sullivan will bounce back for this week. “We had a great practice after the Union game; possibly one of our best practices actually. The girls understand our goals and we are excited for this challenging week which includes three top 10 ranked teams.”
Molly Lohden led the Lady Eagles with 2 runs, while Ava Declue, Dorie Richardson, Mckynlee Peterson, Morgan Braun and Evelynn Harris each had 1 run. Sullivan had a total of 9 hits, with Lohden and Richardson providing 3 each, Braun adding 2 and Blankenship contributing 1.
Blankenship pitched until the middle of the third inning when Lohden took over for relief and remained on the mound for six innings.
In the bottom of the first, Lohden’s impressive steals to second and third bases led to her scoring, while Richardson also made it home, giving Sullivan a 2-1 lead.
Declue later crossed home plate after Corwin’s ground out, narrowing the score to 4-3.
After trailing behind again, Sullivan regained the lead in the fourth inning as Braun slid for a score and Richardson hit the ball near the fence, allowing Harris and Lohden to score. Peterson then sprinted from first base to home to take a lead of 7-5.
Union’s Lucille Koenigsfeld scored a home run, tying the game at 7-7 and extending it into the eighth inning. The Wildcats quickly picked up 10 runs and the Lady Eagles lost the confidence they had carried throughout the game.