Bullitt East baseball snaps No. 4 Pleasure Ridge Park's 14-game winning streak

Bullitt East baseball walked the walk Friday night — literally.

The Chargers snapped No. 4 Pleasure Ridge Park’s 14-game winning streak, scoring three runs on back-to-back-to-back walks with the bases loaded in the top of the ninth inning to break open the game and defeat the host Panthers 9-4 in extra innings.

Junior Devin Elder added a two-run double in the ninth to put the game out of reach for the Chargers (18-9).

“It’s a team effort,” junior Connor Sauss said. “(Elder) came out and absolutely (dominated) on the mound. Hitting, we started struggling, but we put the bat on the ball, see what happens. This team has everything it takes to make the state tournament.”

Bullitt East earned the signature win against the Panthers (26-3) despite not playing since May 2.

The Chargers used the week to work on their offense, coach James Bowles said.

“We scored nine runs. In reality, the coach in me says why did we have to play nine innings,” Bowles said. “You don’t give a good team like that, that many opportunities and get away with it that often.”

Sauss, who drove in two runs, credited the break for helping Bullitt East reset physically and mentally, but the Chargers’ victory was nearly dashed in the bottom of the seventh when PRP junior Kobie Howard hit an RBI single to tie the game at 4.

Panthers coach Brad Burns said 14 “free base runners” were the difference in an uncharacteristic performance by his team, which has returned to the top of the Sixth Region.

“We have good players and good coaches. (The) players have to play the game,” Burns said. “Everybody wants to look at a coach and give him credit, whatever. The coach doesn’t deserve any credit; the players do if we go out and win games. We haven’t done anything yet. The postseason is where you focus your efforts. Doesn’t matter how many games you win or lose in the regular season, everyone is 0-0 once you start the postseason.”

Reach sports reporter Brooks Warren at bwarren@gannett.com and follow him on X at @Broookksss.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Bullitt East baseball snaps No. 4 PRP's 14-game winning streak