Sullivan Baseball Rallies Back In 2-1 Victory Over Valley Park

The Eagles’ (3-1) late rally helped them secure a 2-1 win against Valley Park (1-3) at home on Thursday, Mar. 21.

Isaiah Skaggs and Mitchell Garner were awarded MVP belts for their crucial roles in taking down the Hawks. Pitcher I. Skaggs took care of the defensive side by preventing a Valley Park comeback in the final two innings, and Garner drove in a double RBI for the game-winner.

Drake Gawer kicked off the game with a hat trick of strikeouts. Valley Park went scoreless during his four innings on the mound, as Gawer launched nine strikeouts and only gave up a hit.

Sullivan also struggled at-bat, with Landen Doza and Garner making third base on two separate occasions but unable to pull the trigger for home.

The tides began to turn at the top of the 5th when Valley Park’s Gavin Mann seized a 1-0 lead for the Hawks after tagging up.

Nate McReynolds pitched briefly for the Eagles to start the 5th, and I. Skaggs switched him out during the 6th. He surrendered three walks, two hits and Valley Park’s only run when on the hill.

With Hawks creeping on both the first and second bases, I. Skaggs came in for relief on the mound at the top of the 6th to prevent another Valley Park score. He fired away two strikeouts to his brother Dayton in the catcher’s box. Then shortstop Cambrian Koch threw to first baseman Gawer for a groundout that shut down the Hawks’ second-to-last offensive run.

Being the first to bat, Doza gave Sullivan a dose of momentum by stealing second, landing third after tagging up and making it home on D. Skaggs’s double. Garner then rocketed a fly ball, allowing D. Skaggs to seize the game-winning run.

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