Softball Takes Seventh At Back To School Classic

The Lady Eagles softball team finished seventh, going 1-2 at the eighth annual Peoples Bank Back to School Classic against some of the best teams in Missouri. Sullivan faced Washington, Mexico and Capital City on Saturday.

There were two brackets at the tournament. Sullivan competed in the more challenging gold bracket. The first team that Sullivan lost to was the first-place champion Washington, while Fatima finished 2nd and Eureka 3rd. In the black bracket, Linn got 1st place, Windsor finished 2nd and Pacific 3rd.

Washington

Sullivan could not touch home against Washington, falling to 0-2. A storm was brewing for the Lady Eagles, but it had not unleashed quite yet.

Evvie Blankenship started on the mound for the Lady Eagles, allowed 4 hits and made 6 strikeouts.

In the first two innings, Sullivan experienced 6 straight strikeouts at bat. Washington pitcher Taylor Brown slung with fire, forcing 12 strikeouts in all five innings.

In the bottom of the second, the Lady Blue Jays struck fast, reeling in two runs on the same play, setting Washington’s lead at 2-0. Sullivan’s rising midfielder Rae Corwin snatched two pop outs to finish the inning.

The Lady Eagles had moments where they were close to reaching home but still did not score for the rest of the game.

At the top of the third, Declue tried to rejuvenate Sullivan’s chance in the game when she doubled a fly ball to left field, leaving the Blue Jays bewildered. In this match, she made 2 at-base appearances, led the team with 2 hits and was the only Lady Eagle not to strike out at bat.

Mexico

After losing to a good Washington team, Sullivan looked to defeat the Mexico Bulldogs but fell short, 2-3.

Sullivan’s starting pitcher Molly Lohden forced 8 strikeouts and gave up 3 runs. Declue and Morgan Braun were the only Lady Eagles to reach home. Lohden topped the team with 2 hits, while Declue and Richardson each got 1.

In the bottom of the first, Mexico’s Kenley Jones doubled on a ground ball to left fielder Declue, allowing Brooke Teel to score. Then the Lady Bulldogs seized an early lead of 0-1.

Sullivan struggled to make a mark on the scoreboard in their next two turns and Mexico eased their way through two more runs at the bottom of the second and third.

In their last chance to win the game, Declue made it to second base after a wild pitch and Braun walked to first. Richardson then swung into a gap in center field and the Lady Bulldogs chased after the ball. Declue quickly ran and slid into a dust cloud at home plate before Mexico could catch her. Sullivan inched closer at 1-3.

As the top of the fifth rolled on, the Eagles had two outs and needed a miracle. Mckynlee Peterson swung hard and grounded to center field. Mexico second baseman Jones had her glove set for the ball, but it popped out and slammed into the dirt. Braun had enough time to score Sullivan’s last run of the match.

The Lady Eagles were close to beating Mexico at 2-3, but now they were physically and mentally prepared to challenge a new opponent.

Capital City

Sullivan beat the Capital City Cavaliers, 5-4 for 7th place. The Lady Eagles had risen up and found their footing.

Lohden led the Eagles in 3 at-base appearances and 2 runs. Blankenship, Dorie Richardson and Hayli Venable each picked up a run for Sullivan. Starting pitcher Ava Declue remained on the mound until the top of the third. Blankenship then relieved her of her duties, only giving up 1 run and 3 hits.

At the top of the first, Capital City held a slim lead of 0-1 once McKenna Schwarzer ran home after Lydia Coulson grounded to center field.

Sullivan struck back and put their mark on the scoreboard. Richardson doubled on a fly ball to far center field, hitting the fence. Lohden and Blankenship seized home plate, Richardson took second. Then Mia Pridemore swung right, the ball rolled to the left of the foul line and Venable ran all the way from first to home. Sullivan seizes the lead at 4-1.

In the bottom of the second, the Lady Eagles continued their dominance. Declue swung a fly ball to center field, Lohden ran all the way home for Sullivan’s final run. Capital City couldn’t keep up as the Lady Eagles now led by 4.

But, the Cavaliers did not blow the fuse so quickly. When they came to bat, they tallied up two quick runs. Then Capital City scored late again at the top of the fourth.

Sullivan barely beat them, 5-4. But, the Lady Eagles all came together to pull in a clutch win before the night was over. Crump spoke on the win, saying, “[I am] definitely happy how we kind of put things together in that last game and offensively got things going much better.”

The junior varsity and varsity Sullivan softball teams will play against Windsor at the Sullivan Bank ballpark at 4:30 p.m.