SOFTBALL

The Huntington softball team completed their first conference sweep of the season with a convincing 9-2 victory over Goshen in game one of Saturday’s home doubleheader before picking up a 12-6 decision in the nightcap.

Kinzie Mollenkopf was dominant in the circle in the opener to be awarded the win, tossing a complete game while allowing just four hits, two runs, and two walks with a pair of strikeouts.

The Foresters took control early, plating three runs in the first inning. Kasey Hickle scored on a wild pitch to open the scoring, followed by an RBI-single from Gena Moore and a sacrifice fly from Jo Walker to make it 3-0.

Huntington struck again in the third with three more runs. Maddie Duvall’s RBI-single brought home a run, and a costly error by Goshen’s right fielder allowed two more Foresters to touch home, extending the lead to 6-2.

HU put the game out of reach in the fifth with another three-run burst. Gabrielle Hypes singled to drive in a run, followed by an RBI-double from Carli Tharp. Maddie Goheen capped off the inning with an RBI-single, bringing Hypes across for the final run of the game.

Huntington’s balanced offensive effort and Mollenkopf’s strong performance powered them to their first win after which the hosts secured the sweep over GC with a 12-6 victory.

The win didn’t come easy, as the Foresters had to overcome a sloppy start that saw them commit two first-inning errors that resulted in four runs, only one of which was earned. Averill’s crew had another mishap in the third along with a passed ball that resulted in two more unearned runs for the Maple Leafs.

Trailing 6-5 heading into the fifth inning, Huntington finally found their footing with a game-changing seven-run rally to mount an impressive comeback that put the contest out of reach.

The comeback started with a pair of walks sandwiching a Joslynn Harbert single to set the stage for pinch hitter Jess Duvall who delivered in a clutch three-run double to the right side, giving Huntington the lead. Gregory then doubled to center, plating Duvall to extend the advantage. Maddie Goheen followed with an RBI-double before Walker put the exclamation mark on the frame with a two-run blast to seal their lot.

Goheen and Walker led the charge offensively by driving in three runs each. Goheen was a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate while Walker went 3-for-4 and scored twice. Other Foresters with multiple hits included Greogry, Moore and Harbert.

Huntington’s pitching was on point and aside from Goshen’s two scoring innings, HU’s defense settled in to wrap up their second win of the day. Maddie Turner, in her season debut, tossed the first three innings where she gave up six hits, six runs, only one of which was earned, and a walk for the no decision. Natalie Haselby tossed three innings of scoreless relief to claim the win. The junior southpaw gave out two free passes while striking out five.

The Foresters (15-9, 4-6) are at Grace on Tuesday with opening pitch scheduled for 3:00 p.m.