SOFTBALL

The HU softball team had their hands full against one of the nation’s best Tuesday afternoon to suffer a pair of losses, 13-1, 11-2, to #5 Marian. With these losses, the Foresters drop to 8-14 overall, 4-8 in Crossroads League action while the Knights remain perfect on the year at 24-0, 14-0 in league play.

Huntington got off to a quick start. In HU’s first at bat, Karley Blankenship took first after getting hit by a pitch, advanced to second on Sophia Beachy’s single and then came around to score on Jada Crofoot’s double to center for HU’s short-lived advantage.

It was all Marian after that as they scored twice in their home half of the frame and never looked back. They would go on to score in every inning to build a double digit lead that made for a shortened five-inning contest compliments of the mercy rule.

Meghan Fretz took the loss for HU. In 2.1 innings of work, she gave up seven hits, nine runs and four walks.

The Knights took a three-run lead in the first on the way to holding a lead throughout in the nightcap. When all the dust had settled, six of their 11 runs came by way of the long ball with Sadie Baugh knocking two out of the park for four RBI.

Huntington got all of its offensive production in the second. With two outs, Rozlynn Everhart started things off by doubling down the left field line after which Kiera Stacy singled to put runners on the corners to set the stage for Marty Harris who knocked in HU’s first run with a shot up the middle. Blankenship then posted a two-bagger for run No. 2.

Gower’s crew finished with eight hits to Marian’s nine. Kennedy Krull finished with two hits as did Stacy.

Mallory West was charged with the loss. She tossed the first frame and gave up three hits, three runs and two walks.

Huntington road trips to Goshen on Thursday for a 3:00 p.m. matchup with the Maple Leafs.