HEADING TO SPRINGFIELD. The Lady Eagles softball team will return to the Class 3 Final Four for the first time in three years. They blanked St. Clair and Ursuline Academy by ten runs in the District 2 tournament, then routed Saxony Lutheran 10-0 in the quarterfinal. Before heading for Springfield, the Lady Eagles will parade through Sullivan on Thursday, Oct. 31. The team will begin Final Four play the day afterward against Oak Grove at 1:30 p.m. Photo via Sullivan High School Facebook Page
NUMBER ONE. The seniors head to Springifeld again. Photo by Extra Innings Photography
HOLD ON. After winning the quarterfinal, Evvie Blankenship (right) hugs her mother, Heidi (left). Photo by Extra Innings Photography
ELLA BLANTON clutched the out that sent Sullivan to Springfield. Photo by Extra Innings Photography
Softball Advances To Final Four After Quarterfinal
Left fielder Ella Blanton earned the Lady Eagles (19-14) another day by clutching the game-winning out against Saxony Lutheran (16-6).
Sullivan routed the Crusaders by ten runs in the Class 3 Quarterfinal on Saturday, Oct. 26. After blanking the District 1 Champion, the Lady Eagles advance to the Final Four in Springfield for the first time in three years.
Head coach Ashley Crump is pumped to see what her team will bring to the state stage this weekend. “I hope we continue our positive vibe,” she stated. “The girls are really loose right now and having a lot of fun. Offensively, anyone has the opportunity to help us score runs. Defensively, we need to stay locked in to keep making the routine plays.”
Sullivan has not yet given up a score in the postseason. They are 30-0 in their past three matchups, overpowering St. Clair, Ursuline Academy and Saxony Lutheran by ten runs each.
Crump hopes each player will enjoy and make the most of their experience in Springfield. She explained, “The message for the state tournament is to just enjoy it! The ultimate goal was to play the full twelve weeks of fall softball, and we earned it! We now know the end of our season is this Friday or Saturday, so we are going to enjoy every minute of this week!”
Ava Declue pitched lights out on the mound for her third consecutive start. She hurled eleven strikeouts to shut down Saxony Lutheran’s crusade. The senior gave up only two walks and a hit in five innings.
Evvie Blankenship rocked the plate, delivering her third homer of the season. She also racked up 2 RBIs, a run and a hit.
Molly Lohden was a force at bat with two runs, 2 RBIs, two stolen bases and a hit.
Dorie Richardson punched in a score, stole a base and took a walk.
McKynlee Peterson dominated with two runs, two RBIs, two hits and a stolen base. She delivered an inside-the-park home run in the top of the third, bringing Rae Corwin in for a score.
Corwin broke away with two runs, two hits for doubles and an RBI.
Carli McCreary collected a run, an RBI and a double.
Evelynn Harris cashed in a run, a stolen base and a double.
Ella Blanton drove in an RBI.
Sullivan will next face Oak Grove (23-9) in the Class 3 Semifinal on Friday, Nov. 1. They begin Final Four play at 1:30 p.m. at the Killian Softball Complex. Centralia and Blair Oaks (15-8) will battle at the same time.
The Class 3 third-place matchup will occur the same Friday at 7:30 p.m.
The state championship will take place the day afterward at 2:30 p.m.