Lady Eagles Win All Their Pool Games On Friday

The Sullivan Lady Eagles began the regular season on a winning note at the People’s Bank Back To School Classic. Sullivan hosted the tournament at the Campbell-Chapman Sports Complex. Head Coach Ashley Crump got a feel for her new pitching rotation on Friday during the three pool games and the Lady Eagles won all three.

DeSoto

Sullivan defeated the DeSoto Lady Dragons, 12-0. The Lady Eagles jumped ahead when they scored seven runs at their first at bat. This was the first regular season at bat for Sullivan. The game started when Kayla Ulrich slammed a double. The bases were loaded after two walks. Sullivan came alive after a two out rally when Carli McCreary was drilled by a pitch and Ulrich scored. Alexis Funkhouser scored on a wild pitch before Dorie Richardson was walked. It seemed like the Lady Dragons were struggling on the mound when Hayli Venable was hit by a pitch and Molly Lohden scored. Sullivan capitalized on these issues when they scored on a dropped ball and Grace Halmick was walked right after. Ulrich stepped up to the plate again and singled on a line drive. Richardson was the first to score and Venable was the next to score. Halmick was the last to score in the inning on an error made by DeSoto shortstop.

The Lady Dragons tried to bridge the gap when they scored one in the bottom of the second. Sullivan secured the win after they scored five more runs at the top of the third inning. Venable was hit by a pitch but advanced all the way to third on two passed balls. Halmick walked again but was out on a play at first and Ulrich singled. She then advanced to second on an error that also scored Venable. Funkhouser and Lohden were both walked but Ulrich was scored on a wild pitch before Funkhouser stole second. Jada Brooks walked and the bases were loaded. After DeSoto made a pitching change, Morgan Braun blasted a hard ground ball and scored Funkhouser and Lohden. The Lady Dragons scored two more runs but it was not enough to catch the Lady Eagles.

Ava DeClue picked up the win on the mound and only allowed three runs off six hits. She struck out DeSoto five times.

Capital City

Evvie Blankenship was immaculate on the mound during Sullivan’s second pool game. Blankenship earned the victory on the mound, pitching a complete seven innings. Her shutout only allowed two hits, and she recorded a staggering nine strikeouts.

Ulrich got the action started again when she doubled on a fly ball to right field. After an out, Ulrich advanced to third. She then scored when Lohden reached first on a dropped third strike. The Lady Eagles secured the win when Richardson blasted a huge home run to left field. Sullivan won, 2-0.

Northwest

The Lady Eagles shut out their opponents during their last pool game. This time Lohden got the start on the mound and pitched the full six innings. She only gave up four hits and recorded three strikeouts.

Sullivan jumped on the board for the first time at the top of the second inning. Braun landed on first after a ground ball to left field. Richardson then grounded into a fielder’s choice and Braun advanced to second. Venable singled on a hard ground ball to center and she scored Braun. Richardson advanced to third and Braun advanced to second on the throw. Richardson and Venable both scored before Hannah Campbell was out advancing to second after she singled on a ground ball.

The Lady Eagles extended their lead at the top of the third after Lohden hit a pop fly and landed on first after an error. She then advanced to second and third on a wild pitch and a passed ball. Evvie Blankenship hit a ground ball and reached on an error that scored Lohden.

Sullivan scored for a final time at the top of the sixth. Braun landed on base again after a big fly ball double. She was scored when Venable singled on a ground ball. The final score was 5-0.