Patience at plate leads to Eagles 12-2 blowout of Kearney

by Michael Smith


Grain Valley baseball coach Brian Driskell said before the season his team’s success would come down to how well the offense would fare in 2025.

That aspect of the game was a question mark coming in as multiple first-year varsity players have been inserted into the lineup.

So far, through four games, the Eagles have fared well at the plate, averaging 6.75 runs per game. They produced their highest scoring output Wednesday against Kearney in a non-conference contest at home and only needed three hits to do so.

Grain Valley took advantage of 12 walks from Kearney pitching and cruised to a 12-2 mercy-rule victory in five innings.

“I was thoroughly impressed with the (at bats) that they had today,” Driskell said of his team. “When he had to, we got a base hit.”

Eight of the 13 runs came against Kearney starting pitcher Cameron Taylor, whose fastball appeared to hover around 93-94 mph. The strike zone for the umpire was small, which made it difficult for Taylor to avoid walks.

Taylor walked four Eagles in the bottom of the second and pinch runner Chris Meredith scored on a wild pitch in the frame to give the team a 1-0 lead.

Kearney countered with a two-run third inning as Hayden Fritter drove in a run on a double to deep left field, scoring Trey White from second base. Fritter later scored on a double steal after Taylor purposely got caught in a run down between first and second base, giving the Bulldogs a 2-1 edge.

In the bottom half of the inning, however, is when the Eagles took control of the game thanks to their patience at the plate. After Taylor got the first two Grain Valley batters out, he went on to walk six batters in the frame. A walk from John Malicoat and an infield error by Kearney on a ground ball from Eagles junior pitcher Bryce Meyer jump started the inning for Grain Valley.

Malicoat stole home plate on a double steal attempt, Meredith scored on another wild pitch, junior Brody Wilp and senior Aaron Barr drew bases-loaded walks and junior Logan Bennett drilled a bases-clearing double to left-center field to blow the game open as the Eagles led 8-2.

Bennett, who was a cleanup hitter last season, moved to the leadoff spot this season, and so far, it has worked out for Grain Valley (3-1).

“It’s an adjustment because I like seeing the pitcher,” Bennett said. “But it’s for the team. I am fine with it really.

The Eagles ended the contest by mercy rule with a four-run fifth inning, which was capped by a two-run single smoked to right field from senior Kaden Crandall.

“It was nice to see Crandall get a base hit there at the end,” Driskell said. “He’s been frustrated with himself the past couple of days.”

While the offense for Grain Valley was a big part of the win, the pitching and defense was equally as good. 
The Eagles defense committed just one error and Meyer tossed a gem. The junior allowed two runs on two hits, walked two and struck out six.

He picked up the win and navigated a tight strike zone effectively using his fastball and changeup.

“The umpire had a tight zone, but I just had to battle through it,” Meyer said. “Luckily, I had a lot of control. One some other days, it would have been wild, and I wouldn’t have been able to get anything. My inside fastball and changeup were working well.

​“My defense did well. Kaden made a good play at shortstop in the first inning. Our defense was good.”
Bennett led the Eagles offense with four RBIs.

Grain Valley junior Logan Bennett, left, had four RBIs, and junior Bryce Meyer picked up the win on the mound, allowing just two runs on two hits and struck out six as the duo helped the Eagles take a 12-2 mercy-rule win Wednesday at home. Photo credit: Michael Smith
​