BY TRAVIS DAVID
[email protected]
BASEBALL
South Knox 8, Sullivan 2: The host Spartans scored seven runs over their final two at-bats in sending the Golden Arrows to a loss in Monday’s season opener.
Freshman Hunter Mason gave Sullivan a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning with a two-out RBI single, scoring Peyton Page.
The momentum would be short-lived, as the Spartans tied the contest in the home half of the third.
After the Arrows stranded a pair of runners in the top of the fifth, the Spartans grabbed a 4-1 lead on a 3-run homer in the bottom of the frame by Kaden McKinney.
South Knox’s 4-run sixth inning was highlighted by another 3-run blast, this time by Zach Allen.
Sullivan added the final tally of the game when pinch runner Hunter Pinkston scored on a fielding error off the bat of Mason. Pinkson was running for Will Brooks, who reached on a double.
Marcus Roshel, Isaak Osborne and Hunter Mason both had two hits in part of the Golden Arrows’ 8-hit attack.
Mason added a double in his high school debut.
Brooks pitched into the fifth inning and suffered the loss. The Arrows’ ace scattered six hits and fanned five batters.
Sullivan (0-1) returns to the diamond on Thursday, at North Knox.
SOFTBALL
SULLIVAN 23, Parke Heritage 5 (5): The Lady Arrows scored early and often in the five-inning romp on the road Tuesday evening.
Sullivan grabbed a 5-0 lead before the Wolves came to bat and added seven more runs in the second frame. After three in the third, Sullivan posted eight more in the fourth inning.
The Lady Arrows pounded out a season-best 18 hits eight of which went for extra bases, including three home runs.
Aphtyn Earley smacked her second home run of the spring in part of her 4 for 4 night at the dish. The junior drove in four runs for a team-high 10 RBI on the season.
Earley’s long ball came in the third inning and gave the Arrows a commanding 14-1 lead.
Two batters later, freshman Addie Fosdick hit the first big fly of her young, promising career for a 15-1 lead. Fosdick, who reached base all three times — without a hit — the game before against Vincennes Lincoln, added a 2-run double in the fourth inning. The two hits were the first two of her career.
Senior Lexi Grindstaff started the home run party for Sullivan with a 2-run shot in the top of the first inning.
Mylee Vandevender finished 3 for 3 at the plate, scored three times and also secured her first pitching win. The sophomore tossed the final four innings inside the circle, scattering four hits and fanned a pair of batters.
Kate Ridgway started the game and recorded three punchouts in her one inning of work. The senior also collected a pair of hits, including an RBI triple.
Sullivan had 12 different batters register at least one hit, including two hits apiece from freshman Calli Stearley and Rachel Eslinger. The hits for the freshmen were the first of their career.
Sullivan has won three straight after opening the season with two tough losses. The Lady Arrows conclude their 4-game road trip at Terre Haute North on Monday.
NORTH KNOX 17, Vincennes Lincoln 4 (6): The Lady Warriors opened the season on Tuesday with a six-inning romp over their Knox County rivals.
North Knox pounded out 17 hits and scored in all six innings.
Javen Miller led the offense with a 5 for 5 effort at the dish. The starting third baseman and lead-off hitter wrapped out a pair of doubles, drove home three runs and scored three times.
Ally Crist and Mattilynn Ashley hit home runs for the Warriors and combined for five hits and eight RBI. Ashley accounted for five RBI.
The Warriors scored twice in the first inning including an RBI double by Baylee McClure.
After North Knox scored four more in the second for a 6-0 lead, the Alices got on the board with four in the home half of the second.
McClure added an RBI single in the third before Ashley’s 3-run shot in the fourth gave the Warriors a 10-4 lead.
North Knox added two in the fifth on Crist’s 2-run blast before capping the scoring with a 5-run sixth which enforced the mercy rule.
McClure finished with three hits, drove in three runs and scored four more while Audrey Wortsell added a pair of hits out of the No. 9 hole.
Crist went the distance in the circle, scattering three hits and fanned a pair of batters.
North Knox plays host to Bloomington South on Thursday.
