TRADITION NEVER GRADUATES. Sullivan’s seniors walk off the field after one of their final home games, beating St. Clair 16-0. They are, pictured from left to right, Dorie Richardson, Molly Lohden, Evvie Blankenship and Ava Declue. Photo by Wyatt Hardy
HOLD ONTO MEMORIES. Molly Lohden was one of four Lady Eagles recognized on Senior Night and received hugs from her teammates, including Rae Corwin. Photo by Wyatt Hardy
Softball Seniors Dominate St. Clair In 16-0 Shutout
Sullivan’s (9-8) seniors said their goodbyes to St. Clair (2-8) with a sixteen-run shutout on Thursday, Sept. 26.
The Lady Eagles hit the ground running with 13 scores in the bottom of the first and ended the game by mercy rule after three innings.
Afterward, the softball team held its Senior Night for Evvie Blankenship, Ava Declue, Molly Lohden and Dorie Richardson. The four players celebrated by later seeing Benson Boone, singer of “Beautiful Things” and “Slow It Down,” live in concert that night.
Head coach Ashley Crump was happy to see the Lady Eagles “let loose” before taking on a tough final three weeks. “It’s Senior Night; they’re wanting to celebrate and have a great time. And it was fun to get out there and have good hits and run those bases and play different positions.”
Before the game started, the seniors proposed to Crump to have Lohden pitch at least one batter, since she had not done so yet this season. Lohden took the mound in the top of the third and struck out two batters in her two tosses.
Declue and Blankenship also pitched an inning and hurled two strikeouts.
Richardson played catcher for the Lady Eagles.
Crump’s message for her seniors is to “remember all the people that support them, no matter what.” She explained, “Win or lose, they will always be a part of our program—tradition never graduates, that’s what that means. And so they’ll move on next year, but we’ll stay here. The stories, you know, the memories of them will stay with us, part of the program forever.”
The four Lady Eagles are the last remaining players of the 2021 team that finished third at state and last won a district title.
Batting Stats
Richardson was Sullivan’s first player to hit a home run on Senior Night. She also had a team-high five RBIs while recording two other scores, two hits and a double.
Evelynn Harris delivered her second homer of the season against St. Clair. She had two RBIs, another run, and a hit.
Blankenship launched a home run in the bottom of the second and also led the Lady Eagles with three hits. She brought in three RBIs, two other runs and a double.
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