Four Swings, One Inning, History Made: Eagles Hit Home Run Cycle

by Bill Althaus, Grain Valley News

The Grain Valley Eagles accomplished such a rare feat, they are believed to be the only high school softball team to hit for the home run cycle in one inning.
   
So, strike up the band.

Plan a parade.

Give the Grain Valley High School softball team the key to the city, because coach Flip Courter's Eagles accomplished a feat so rare, they are the first-ever prep team to hit for a home-run cycle in one inning (according to AI Overview).

Morgan Hart started the remarkable accomplishment with a 3-run home. Sydnee Wagner followed with a grand slam, Abe Scott drilled a two-run homer and Addie Wright capped the unheard-of feat with an inside the park home run.

That is one of the coolest things I've ever seen as a coach," Courter said. "And it's crazy to think that it was a 0-0 game going into the bottom of the fourth. We needed for runs, but none of us could ever imagine the girls hitting for a home run cycle."

Morgan said all she wanted to do was hit the ball hard when she came up with two Eagles on base.

"I have never tried to hit a home run, although, I want to hit the ball hard - especially with runners on base. It was 0-0 going into that inning, and we never thought about hitting four home runs, let alone four home runs for the cycle. It was pretty cool."

Wagner said this season has been extra special, because many of her Eagles teammates have played on the same team since T-Ball days.

"I'm a senior, and I love the girls on the team, and to be a part of something like the home run cycle in one inning is unbelievable," Wagner said. "I never try to hit a home run, but even after Morgan hit the three-run homer, I wasn't thinking about a home run. I just wanted to drive my girls home. When Coach Courter told us what we'd done after the game, well, we couldn't believe it.

"It still doesn't seem real."

Scott admitted, "I didn't know we hit for the home run cycle, I just knew we hit a lot of home runs. It's so cool, it's so crazy and I think today we're finally realizing what we did. A 13-0 win and hitting the cycle. It doesn't get much cooler than that."

And to add some spice to the conversation, Wright's solo shot was an inside-the-park blast.

"When I hit it, I just kept running because their right fielder dove for the ball, and it went past her," Wright said. "What a crazy, amazing inning. When Coach told us what we'd done after the game, we were all in shock. I'm still kind of in shock."

Courter admitted he had no idea the Eagles were a solo home run away from the cycle when he waved Wright home.

"She's fast, the ball got past the right fielder, and I just knew she could beat the throw home," Courter said. "So, was I thinking, 'Wave her home to complete the cycle. That was the farthest thing from my mind."
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The Grain Valley softball team had an inning to remember in a 13-0 victory over Fort Osage. Eagles players, from left, Sydnee Wagner, Abe Scott, Addie Wright and Morgan Hart hit four runs, including a solo short, two run homer, three-run homer and grand slam. That's right, they hit a home run cycle in one inning. Photo credit: Bill Althaus