Sullivan Defeats Valley Park

With a steady supply of runs through the first three innings Wednesday, Sullivan built up a cushion to withstand a late charge from Valley Park.

Scoring one run in the first, two in the second, four in the third and one in the fifth, the Eagles streaked to their fourth straight victory, 8-4.

Sullivan blew up the game in the third inning as Valley Park struggled to turn ground balls into outs.

Will Allen reached on an error at short to leadoff, then Tanner Jackson singled to the same area. Wyatt Schmidt laid down a bunt. Hawks pitcher Luis Sanchez threw the ball away and allowed Allen and Blayten Nolie — courtesy running for Jacson — to score. Schmidt ended up on third. Sullivan led 5-0. 

He scored one batter later on a groundout by Jacob Miller. 

With the bases empty, Cody McKinney rekindled the offense with his third hit of the day — a line drive to center. After a fielder’s choice groundout by Austin Frye, Lucas Cottrell drew his third walk. Derek Evans, running for Frye, scored on a RBI single by Mike Kraus to give the Eagles a 7-0 lead.

Sullivan threatened to end the game early in the fifth. Frye was hit by a pitch and Cottrell walked for the fourth time. Evans was sent in to run for Frye and went to third on a wild pitch. He scored on a sac fly by Kraus. Garrett Juergens was hit by a pitch to put the potential 10th run on base, but a flyout ended the inning.

Frye started and worked efficiently through the first five innings before Valley Park got on the board with three runs in the sixth. With Sullivan’s lead cut to 8-3 and runners on the corners, Frye struck out Roberts and got a groundout to end the threat.

Valley Park would add a run in the seventh against Ty Wheeler.