SOFTBALL

The HU softball team took a break from league play to face Indiana Tech (21-22) Tuesday night at Warrior Park in a twin bill that favored the hosts, 13-5, 4-0. With these losses, the Foresters drop to 16-26 overall.

Gower’s crew collected six hits in game one in addition to relying on four Warrior errors to plate their five runs, only one of which was earned. The Foresters enjoyed two leads, one after their first at bat, 2-0, and the second two innings later when they forged ahead 5-3.

Unfortunately, Tech responded both times and then some. The hosts matched HU’s two runs in the bottom of the first, scored again in the second and then exploded for six runs in their half of the third to jet in front, 9-3, on the way to finding home four more times in the fifth to cut the contest short thanks to the mercy rule.

The Foresters cashed in on two Warrior blunders in the first. Joelle Beals posted the only RBI-hit of inning when she smacked a single to right while the other run came by way of a throwing error on the same play.

The third had a similar feel with Beals picking up a second RBI on an infield fielding error after which Mallory West singled up the middle to drive in a pair of runs. Huntington managed just one hit the rest of the way. But the Warriors were just warming up, racking up ten runs the rest of the way for the lopsided final.

Mallory West and Anna Weigold split time in the circle with West getting tagged with the loss. She tossed the first 2.1 inning and gave up four hits, eight runs, six of which were earned, and a walk while striking out one.

HU couldn’t get their sticks going in the nightcap to suffer their fourth shutout of the year, with the other three times coming at the beginning of the season. The Foresters managed just three hits with only four baserunners ever making it past first base.

West went the distance in game two for her second loss of the day by giving up six hits, four runs, two of which were earned, and a walk while striking out two.

The Foresters are on the road again tomorrow to take on Mount Vernon at 3:30 p.m.