Eagles cruise to trophy win

For the first time since May 21, 2014, the Oran Eagles baseball team added a first-place trophy to the cases in the lobby of OHS (and that was actually a plaque) with their 14-3 five-inning win over the Eminence Redwings in the title game of the inaugural Bank of Grandin Fall Classic in a game that was played at Van Buren.

The Eagles pounded 3 Eminence hurlers for 14 hits, including 4 home runs.  They were given nine walks.  The Redwings committed three errors.

Oran, the home team, fell behind as starter Todd Priggel gave up two singles and a walk.  The Eagles trailed 1-0 after one-half inning.

Oran took the lead in their half of the frame.  A bases load walk to Cole Priggel and a sacrifice fly by Denver Elfrink gave the Eagles a lead they would never relinquish.

Todd Priggel set Eminence down in order in the second but when Oran had their chance again they batted around against the Redwings' first reliever.

Ty Johnson led off with a single, went to second on an errant pickoff attempt, moved to third on Layne Johnson's single and scored on a second misplay by the pitcher attempting to throw over to first.

Layne Johnson moved to third on Todd Priggel's single.

The fourth consecutive single of the inning, this one by Drew Reischman, plated Johnson but Priggel was thrown out trying to advance to third.  Clay Sauceda had the fifth straight hit, a two-run homer to left.  Cole Priggel singled and Denver Elfrink walked, but the next two batters lined out to center field to end the frame with the Eagles up 6-1.

Eminence refused to quit.  They cut the lead to 6-3 in the third on a walk, single, double and an error but would get no closer as Oran would score four more in their half of the third and also the fourth.

In the third, Ty Johnson led off with a double, Layne Johnson walked and with one out Reischman hammered a pitch over the left field fence for a three-run shot.  On the very next pitch, Sauceda blasted his second home run of the game beyond the center field fence.

The fourth was highlighted by Todd Priggel's three-run bomb to right.  He drove in Ty Johnson who had started the inning with a single and Layne Johnson who had walked.

Todd Priggel picked up the win on the mound going 4 innings.  He allowed 3 runs, all earned, on 4 hits.  He struck out 4 and walked 2.  Ty Johnson went the final inning. He struck out 2 and walked 1.

Reischman went 4-4 for the second-straight game.  He homered, doubled and drove in 4 while scoring 4 times himself.  Sauceda drove in 3 with his 2 home runs.  Todd Priggel also drove in 3 with a home run.  Ty Johnson was 3-3 and scored 3 times.  Layne Johnson also crossed the plate 3 times.

The Eagles improved to 3-0 with the victory.

Oran is scheduled to have their home-opener Tuesday at 4:30 pm against Senath-Hornersville.