Lady Eagles Ease Past Pacific

Sullivan had a damaging seven run second inning that helped them secure the win against The Lady Indians on Tuesday at Pacific. Dorie Richardson hit a huge grand slam in the second when Sullivan already had four unanswered points during their away game. Sullivan put away Pacific, 12-2.

Evvie Blankenship pitched all five innings for Sullivan and recorded a staggering 10 strikeouts. She only gave up two runs off three hits.

Sullivan got things started early when the game’s leadoff hitter, Kayla Ulrich, singled on a ground ball to left field. Morgan Braun grounded into a fielder's choice and Ulrich was out at second. Alexis Funkhouser was walked and Evvie Blankenship then singled on a ground ball to left and scored Braun. Funkhouser advanced. Ava DeClue came in as a courtesy runner for Blankenship before Molly Lohden singled on a bunt that loaded the bases and the side was retired after two more outs.

The Lady Eagles soared in the second inning. Grace Halmick hit a ground ball and reached on an error before Ulirch singled on a fly ball. Braun then grounded into a fielder's choice and loaded the bases. Funkhouser plucked a ground ball to left and Halmick was scored while the other runners advanced. Blankenship then sailed a line drive to left and scored Braun and Ulrich with Funkhouser stopped at third. Lohden walked and the bases were loaded. Richardson then launched a grand slam to center field.

Sullivan kept up the rally at the trop of the third as well. Braun doubled on a line drive to left. Funkhouser then scored Braun on a hard ground ball to the same spot. She advanced to second on the throw. Pacific brought in Trinity Brandhorst to bring in some relief on the mound and the side was retired.

Richardson kept up the aggression at the plate when she singled to lead off at the top of the fourth. Hayli Venable then grounded into a fielder's choice and Richardson was out at second. Venable stole second and Hannah Campbell singled on a fly ball. Venable scored on the hit. Pacific during the next half inning when they scored two runs.

The Lady Eagles finished off the day when they added two more runs to their already big lead at the top of the fifth inning. Braun walked and then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Funkhouser popped out in foul territory and then Blankenship landed on first after a ground ball was hit to left. Braun advanced to third. DeClue came in as a runner for Blankenship and then immediately stole second. Lohden sliced a line drive single that scored DeClue and she advanced to second. Braun scored on the play.

Funkhouser and Campbell each went 2-3 and Blankenship was 3-4. Blankenship was outstanding on the mound and led in hits.