Softball Finishes Third In Return To Final Four

After three years, the Lady Eagles (20-15) clawed themselves back into the Final Four in Springfield. They were eager to return to the Killian Sports Complex and continue a tradition that had never graduated.

Sullivan finished third in Class 3, capping their season off on Friday, Nov. 1. The Lady Eagles first fell 4-1 to the would-be state champion Oak Grove (25-9). Sullivan rebounded later that night by crushing Blair Oaks (15-20) 9-1, a former roadblock for them.

Evvie Blankenship clutched the final out that awarded her team the third-place plaque. But moments before, the senior did not know if she would return to the field again as a Lady Eagle. Blankenship was “immediately hit with fear” because she had dislocated her knee. “I felt myself go down because I knew as soon as it happened what was going on,” she described. “I tried to calm myself down because I knew I also had to get it back in place and quickly.”

Blankenship was not ready to let the lights fade out on her high school career. No matter what pain, she wanted nothing more than to play with her teammates for one last time. “After I walked off the field, my mind was set that I was going back out there. There was no doubt in my mind… The trainer said it would most likely be best to sit it out, but I had other plans. I made the decision that I would not miss the last three outs of the game with the team that I love,” Blankenship stated.

The senior returned as second baseman, finishing the game and her high school career in historic fashion. With her catch, Sullivan snapped a five-year losing skid against Blair Oaks.

The Lady Falcons defeated Sullivan in the Class 3 Semifinal in 2021, then knocked them out of district contention a year later. The Lady Eagles lost 5-2 to Blair Oaks earlier this season in the Peoples Bank Back to School Classic.

Blankenship described the “bittersweet” victory over the Lady Falcons as “one of the best feelings in the world.” She explained, “We fought hard the game before and still fell short, but we knew we needed to lock in to get the win against Blair Oaks… We wanted to show them what we were truly capable of.” 

Head coach Ashley Crump could not have been any prouder of the heights her team reached this season. “I hope they walked away with a full heart, realizing how much support they have on and off the field,” she exclaimed. “And no matter what role they have, an everyday starter or not, everyone can make an impact for the good of the team.”

Sullivan began their postseason run with ten-score shutouts over St. Clair and Ursuline Academy to win Class 3 District 9. They then squashed Saxony Lutheran 10-0 in the quarterfinal to earn another day in Springfield.

Oak Grove

In the state semifinal against the Panthers, Sullivan started on top but struggled to return to the board. Carli McCreary singled to drive Molly Lohden home in the bottom of the first.

Evelynn Harris tripled on a fly ball, while Blankenship doubled on a line drive and Rae Corwin singled on a grounder.

Ella Blanton led the Lady Eagles with two singles.

Ava Declue hurled eight strikeouts on the mound. She gave up eight hits, an earned run and a walk.

Blair Oaks

Declue pitched all five postseason games for Sullivan and her final against the Lady Falcons. She struck out seven batters while surrendering four hits and two walks. The senior was also a force at bat, leading Sullivan with 4 RBIs and three hits (a double and two singles).

Blankenship dominated at the plate, racking up a run, an RBI, a single and a walk.

Molly Lohden loaded up a run and a single in the final game of her high school career.

Dorie Richardson tripled for an RBI in her final at-bats.

Carli McCreary collected two singles, a run and a walk.

Blanton broke away for a score and doubled for an RBI. 

McKynlee Peterson picked up a run, an RBI and a hit.

Rae Corwin shined with a score and a single.

Elli Crump punched it home twice, and Madison Ortner scored once.