Eagles Outduel Lancers And Mustangs

By keeping their heads up high, the Eagles (14-9) have been able to claw their way out of tight deficits. Landen Doza explained, “We stay positive even through the negatives... Even with the errors, we still found a way to get the bats hot and put runs on the board.”

Sullivan galloped past the Eldon Mustangs (13-14) 6-5 in a tight race on May 5. They exchanged leads until the Eagles soared ahead with three runs in the bottom of the fifth.

Doza was named the Most Valuable Player against Eldon, alongside Raiden Redd and Lucas Parsons. 

Doza hit a perfect 3-for-4 while racking up a run, an RBI and a triple.

Redd also went 3-for-4 with two runs, an RBI, a triple and a double.

Parsons pitched a complete game against the Mustangs. He struck out six batters in his seven innings. The senior only gave up four hits, four walks and an earned run. Parsons was also a force at bat, leading Sullivan with 2 RBIs and logging a walk.

Mitchell Garner broke loose with two runs and two hits.

Nate McReynolds and Chase Blue both drove a runner home on an RBI.

Seth Valley crossed the dish during the bottom of the fifth.

Sullivan continued their homestand the following day and beat the brakes off St. Pius X (10-12) 13-6. The Lancers started with a 6-2 lead after two innings, but the Eagles shut them down the rest of the game with eleven runs.

Mahlon Foster and Blue received the MVP belt for their crucial roles in the victory. 

Foster was Sullivan’s winning pitcher against St. Pius X. He threw a no-hitter in the final five innings, hurling seven strikeouts and only allowing three walks.

Blue was also lights out against the Lancers, going 3-for-3 at bat. He led Sullivan with four runs and 3 RBIs. The junior also recorded a walk to first base.

Redd was the first to take the mound for the Eagles. He struck out a batter but gave up five hits, four earned runs and a walk.

Isaiah ‘Dirty Dan’ Skaggs came out of the bullpen during the second inning. He surrendered two earned runs, two hits and a walk. 

At the plate, Doza stacked up three runs, two walks, an RBI and a hit.

Valley tallied two runs, an RBI, a hit and a walk. 

Drake Gawer powered 3 RBIs and two hits.

Alex Toews brought in 3 runs and two hits.

Garner grabbed 2 RBIs and a hit.

Kaden Smith secured a run and a hit.

Redd took two walks, while Foster landed a hit.

Doza said that for the Eagles to remain close in these nail-biters, they must keep “staying hot within the lineup.” He shared, “When we put it all together, we started getting runners on base and then bunting people around and also having a lot of good, timely hits like doubles and triples… [Against Eldon], we had a lot of errors, but if we work around that and play the defense that we’re capable of playing and the offense that we’re capable of having—we’ll be a great team.”

Class 4 District 4 Bracket 

St. Clair will host the Class 4 District 4 Tournament for the second consecutive year.

Owensville enters as the top seed, while Sullivan will be the second. Both teams earned a first-round bye and will begin in the semifinals.

Salem (4) and St. James (5) will battle in the first quarterfinal match on May 15 at 1 p.m. The winner will take on the top-ranked Dutchmen.

St. Clair (3) and Cuba (6) will follow at 4 p.m. and fight for a chance to face No. 2 Sullivan.

Owensville will play the winner of the Salem/St. James game on Monday, May 19, at 1 p.m.

The Eagles are scheduled afterward at 4 p.m. against either St. Clair or Cuba.

The district championship will be held on Friday, May 23, at 4 p.m.