Sullivan Hits Solo Walk-off Homer in 10th to Give Beavers 1st Win
A ten inning pitching duel ended in spectacular fashion for the Blackburn baseball team on Sunday afternoon. After being tied with Elmhurst for nine innings straight, sophomore infielder Ian Sullivan ended the game with a walk-off solo home run to left field in the bottom of the tenth inning. The Beavers won the game 2-1, marking their first victory of the 2023 season.
Following a difficult loss yesterday, the Beavers came onto the diamond with a different mindset. Jason Hedges got the start on the mound for the Beavers, and made quick work of the Elmhurst lineup. After a leadoff walk and single, Hedges forced Elmhurst's Troy Taller to hit into a double play, followed by an infield popup which ended the top of the first inning.
In the bottom of the first, Isaac Gleaves reached first base from a walk. Andrew Lozano grounded a ball into the 5-6 hole, and the throw to second was mishandled by the second baseman, allowing Gleaves to advance to third. Lozano got himself caught stealing a few pitches later, which allowed Gleaves to score from third. This would be the only run that the Beavers would be able to manufacture until the tenth inning.
Elmhurst quickly tied the game up in the top of the second, as Brett Bishop lined a solo homer over the left field wall. After a follow up single, Hedges forced two pop ups, then struckout the next batter to end the inning. This would be the only inning that Elmhurst managed to plate a run during.
The next seven innings were a back and forth affair between the two teams. Excellent pitching was on display from both sides, as neither offense could generate any momentum for their team at the plate.
In the top of the sixth, sophomore Peyton Blackburn took the mound for the Beavers. Still tied 1-1, Blackburn made quick work of the Elmhurst hitters. He struck out the first batter he faced, then forced a flyout and groundout. After a scoreless bottom of the sixth inning, Blackburn took the mound again for the Beavers in the seventh. He forced a flyout from the first batter, then after allowing a walk, forced another flyout and groundout.
He returned to the mound once again in the top of the eighth. He got three outs with ease, as Elmhurst hit into a double play to end the inning.
After a scoreless bottom of the eighth, Ryne Hanslow took the mound for the Beavers in the top of the ninth. He struck out two and had a flyout to get the Beavers back on offense. However, the bottom of the ninth was scoreless yet again for the Beavers. Hanslow took the mound in the top of the tenth inning. He got a flyout and groundout from the first two hitters, then allowed two walks. After a brief meeting from Blackburn's pitching coach, Hanslow recollected himself and forced the next batter to flyout to center field, causing an eruption of momentum from the Beaver dugout.
The bottom of the tenth inning was nothing short of incredible. Ian Sullivan led off the inning for the Beavers, and the rest is history. He worked himself into a hitter's count, then blasted his first collegiate home run over the left field wall, winning the game for the Beavers.
The Beavers now sit at an overall record of 1-3. They will have this week to rest up and prepare for their spring break trip. Blackburn will fly to Dallas, Texas on Friday, March 3rd, and then begin their week of spring break games on Saturday. The Beavers will open their spring break trip against Austin College, located in Sherman, Texas. The first game is scheduled for Saturday, March 4th at 6:00 p.m.