Eagles Sizzle On Senior Night

​by John Unrein

​     Senior Night proved memorable for seniors Christian Lynn, Jesse Scholtz and the rest of the Eagles baseball team. They dispatched the visiting Raytown South Cardinals by a score of 13-0 across a five-inning spread on Monday, May 6th.   
     Lynn pitched the final out of the 5th inning, while Scholtz contributed an RBI single. Both seniors were met with hugs from their teammates and loud applause from the crowd as they exited the field.
      Head Coach Brian Driskell is grateful for the contributions both seniors have made to the program.
     “Both young men are positive products of their parents. Christian and Jesse are two of the best individuals I’ve coached during my time in the program. The impact of their contributions is noticeable.”
     Junior Max Chapman and Sophomore Riley Bown combined with Scholtz to hold the Cardinals scoreless. Chapman spread four strikeouts across the first three innings. His fastball displayed good velocity as he was judicious with the location of the pitch within the strike zone.
      Bown picked up where his predecessor left off upon his entry into the game in the 4th inning. He spread three strikeouts across 1 and 2/3 innings of work. Bown pounded the bottom of the strike zone while working through Cardinal hitters. Lynn secured the shutout by pitching the final out during the top of the 5th inning.
      “I was pleased with our pitching this afternoon. We were efficient in getting people out. I thought Max and Riley both did a good job on the mound,” Driskell said.
      The Eagles offense did not miss opportunities presented to them. Both Sophomore Parker Bosserman and Junior Mason Rogers were productive at the top of the lineup.
     Bosserman reached base safely three times as well as contributing a steal. Rogers diverse offensive skills were highlighted by a sacrifice bunt, an RBI single, two stolen bases, and speeding down the third base line to score on a wild pitch.
      Junior Catcher Caden Matlon also made noise with the bat.  He contributed two RBI’s along with a single and double prior to being taken out of the game in the 3rd inning with the Eagles sizeable lead.
      “Both Parker and Mason did a solid job at the plate today. They followed that up by applying pressure on the base paths. It was exciting to watch what they accomplished at the top of the lineup,” Driskell said.
     Grain Valley was scheduled to face the Smithville Warriors on May 8th, but the game was canceled due to rain.
 

Junior Infielder Seth Dankenbring with a hit for the Eagles.     
Photo credit: Valley News staff
 

Seniors Jesse Scholtz (left) and Christian Lynn (right) posed for photos with their parents during Senior Night for Grain Valley baseball. The team won 13-0 against the Raytown South Cardinals.       
Photo credit: Valley News staff