SOFTBALL

The 6th-seeded HU softball team escaped elimination again today by downing 4th-seeded Mount Vernon 3-0 Thursday afternoon at top-seeded Marian University. The loss sends the Cougars home while the Foresters await to see who they matchup with next.

Lairen Miller scattered just four hits on the afternoon for the complete-game shutout, her third of the season.

Joelle Beals got the Foresters on the board in the opening frame. After drawing a walk, advancing to third on a Casey Lehman base knock, the sophomore shortstop scored on MVNU’s lone error of the day.

Lehman would log a second hit in the third to knock in HU’s only run of the day after Marty Harris drew a free pass and Audra Klopfenstein was tagged with a pitch. Harris came around to score on Lehman’s base poke into center after which Klopfenstein motored home on a passed ball for a 3-0 lead that stood the test of time.

HU finished with five hits on the day and was error-free in the field to make for an efficient outing for Gower’s crew.

The Foresters improve to 24-25 on the year. They are back in action tomorrow at noon at Marian to face the winner of the Taylor/Spring Arbor game slated for later tonight.