​Eagles Slug Their Way To Win Over Blue Jays

by John Unrein

 
     The Grain Valley Eagles baseball team saw an early lead vanish only to come storming back against the Raytown Blue Jays on April 19th. Strong spring winds led to the baseball carrying well at Clyde Thompson Field on the campus of Raytown High School. The Eagles offense took advantage at the plate in generating 20 hits, including home runs by Parker Bosserman and Kaden Jeffries. The potent bats fueled Grain Valley’s 16-7 victory over a Suburban Conference opponent.
     The abundance of Eagles baserunners left head coach Brian Driskell providing frequent reminders from the third base coaching box. “Hey, line drive here, what are we doing? With a ground ball, make sure it is through before advancing,” Driskell said.
     All the extra guidance is something that Driskell does not mind as it means contact is being made in the batter’s box. Something that was not easy for Grain Valley to attain initially against Raytown starter Jonathon Stanley. The right hander features a twisting delivery with occasional pauses, a la Johnny Cueto. The occasional hesitation in the pitch to home plate made the Eagles adjust to waiting on the baseball.
     Grain Valley matched pitching talent on the mound as Riley Bown was summoned by Driskell to provide five and two-thirds innings of well-pitched relief. Bown would strike out 7 and give up 3 runs. The senior mixed his fastball with a late moving breaking ball to secure a significant amount of ground ball outs. Bown’s specialty continues to be throwing strikes.
     “Riley (Bown) has been essential for us. I do not like having to bring him in that early in the game on a day when he is not slated to do that. Bown has the lowest ERA (earned run average) on the team, and he showed why again today. He has been a big gamer for us,” Driskell said.
     “Teammates like Bosserman, Jeffries, (Blake) Prewitt, and (Parker) Stone helped our pitching today. Jeffries first at bat today was a bad approach. We talked about it and he corrected it throughout the game. When Jeffries stays middle with his approach at the plate, he is a tough hitter.”
     Driskell continued, “Prewitt is a kid who I think grew up in Raytown. For him to come back and do what he did today was special for him. Prewitt does a good job handling our pitchers behind the plate as well. I also felt comfortable with him in the batter’s box today with the contact he made.”
     “Their (Raytown’s) pitcher did a good job of mixing up tempo early on. It was messing with our guys. They are a fast team that we had to contain. The primary leads we saw today were enormous. Raytown is lightning quick. They applied pressure in areas we have not been challenged in a lot yet.”
     The Eagles were able to find answers at the plate as the game progressed. Bosserman parked a 2-1 pitch with one out over the right field fence in the top of the 4th inning. The no doubt smash tied the game for Grain Valley at four apiece. Bosserman remains robust in the pulling the baseball for power.
     Jeffries would put his own home run trot on display in the top of the 7th inning. The sound made by Jeffries swing was distinct as the ball easily cleared the center field fence. Jeffries knock would drive in Cole Keller from first base and was the biggest of three hits on the day for the Eagles first baseman. It also drew a rare smile from Jeffries as Keller intentionally slowed down coming home from third base in an attempt to disrupt the running rhythm of Jeffries.
     Prewitt would add three hits and three runs batted in of his own. Right fielder Parker Stone complemented the offensive parade with three hits and five RBI’s. Bown would also provide four hits at the plate in supporting his own effort on the mound. The offensive outpouring witnessed an abundance of high fives in the Eagles dugout following the game.
     “I was trying to find a pitch I could hit. I knew I had to keep my weight back on what they were offering. It feels good to have the ball rolling as we begin to head down the stretch here,” Jeffries said.
     Bown added, “I got loose in a hurry. I came in and threw strikes. Blake (Prewitt) had a good game behind the plate in not letting anything by. My defense made plays behind me.”
     “I have also shortened up my approach at the plate lately and it has made a difference. Left-center to right-center is where the baseball is headed as a result. I am barreling everything.”
     Prewitt concluded, “I saw the ball well today. Shortening my swing has allowed me to stay through the ball more. Playing baseball with these guys continues to be a lot of fun.”
     Grain Valley improves to a record of 11-6 on the season. Several key conference matchups loom for the Eagles as the final month of the season approaches.

Sophomore catcher Blake Prewitt smiles in celebrating an Eagles team victory.
​Photo credit: Valley News staff

Senior Riley Bown warms up on the mound.
​Photo credit: Valley News staff

Junior first baseman Kaden Jeffries looks to make contact at the plate.
Photo credit: Valley News staff