Sullivan Post 18 Fights Until The Final Out, But Falls Short To St. Charles, 4-2

By Wyatt Hardy

On Tuesday, Sullivan Post 18 AA fell short to St. Charles AA, 4-2. They gave it their all, fighting until the very final out, but they couldn’t reel in the victory despite their determination. Sullivan had been on a roll recently, winning the last two games and players giving electrifying performances.

Grant Halmick was Sullivan’s starting pitcher for four innings. He struck out five, allowed 3 hits and gave up 2 runs. For batting, Cambrian Koch, Dustin Lappe, Nate McReynolds and Kaden Smith all got a hit. Beau Beckett and Smith were the only ones who scored for Sullivan.

In the first two innings, both teams struggled to get to the bases and the defenses were shutting them down. Halmick gave a stellar performance on the mound. His teammates and fans kept cheering him on because they knew he’d get the job done.

But the tables turn at the top of the third. St. Charles started breaking through Sullivan’s defense. #24 grounded out and #7 took his shot from third base to home plate. Sullivan’s basemen tried to keep up with him, but #7 just barely slid home before catcher Gibson Halbert could grip the ball. On the next play, #17 tripled on a line drive to left fielder Smith who then chased after the ball. #5 then had enough time to make it home. St. Charles took the lead, 2-0.

Sullivan refused to back down and struck back. Smith singled on a blistering line drive and got to first. Koch then hit a fly ball hidden by the blazing sunlight. St. Charles’ outfielders chased after the ball, but couldn’t see it and broke their ankles trying to catch it. Smith seized the opportunity and secured third. Loeb hit a sacrifice fly to far right field and Smith started racing to home plate. St. Charles couldn’t match his speed and he scored. Sullivan were amped to take back this game at 2-1.

Bottom of the fourth, Beckett pulled off one of his most memorable plays all season. McReynolds slammed a fly ball very far left field, and St. Charles hunted it down. Beckett, who was at first, ran at the speed of light all around the diamond. His mind was only set for home plate. Helmet flew off, outfielders screamed and the crowd went wild. He miraculously scored and the stadium roared in chants for Beckett. The matchup was now tied and anyone’s game at 2-2.

But St. Charles was not threatened and doubled up their score right after. #16 swung a grounder and reached on an error by third baseman Anden Carey. The defense then struggled to catch the ball and stop the runners. #5 and #24 made it home, scoring the last two runs of the ballgame.

Sullivan came close, but lost to St. Charles, 4-2. They were very determined until the final out for a victory, but they could not pull through to get the win. This matchup did include memorable moments such as Beckett’s helmet flying off when running it home and the crowd being more alive than ever.