BASEBALL

The Huntington baseball team opened its home series against Spring Arbor (26-18, 16-14) with a split Thursday afternoon, delivering a thrilling 5-4 walk-off win in game one before falling 7-5 in an error-filled nightcap.

Tied 4-4 heading into the bottom of the ninth, the Foresters orchestrated the perfect finish. Beyonce Paco Paulina was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning after which Parker Richards legged out a bunt single to put two aboard.

Bryce Deckman executed a textbook sacrifice bunt, moving both runners into scoring position. After an intentional walk to Cam Clarkson loaded the bases, Beldon Glasgow stepped to the plate and laced the first pitch he saw down the right field line, bringing in the winning run and igniting the dugout celebration.

It marked Huntington’s first lead of the contest. Earlier, Clarkson had tied the game at 1-1 in the first with an RBI-groundout. The Cougars responded with a three-run fourth, powered by a two-run homer and an RBI-double to go up 4-1.

Glasgow’s game-winner wasn’t his only shining moment. He sailed a 3-2 change-up over the right field fence in the bottom of the fourth to spark the comeback, followed by a sacrifice fly from Kaden Flores in the fifth to knot things back up.

Keegan Shovlain earned the win, tossing two scoreless innings in relief. He allowed just one hit and a walk while striking out one.

The momentum didn’t carry over into the nightcap, as the Foresters were plagued by five errors that led to five unearned runs. Spring Arbor capitalized immediately with four runs in the opening inning, all unearned.

Another error in the third handed SAU a fifth unearned run, before they plated two more runs honestly in the fourth on a two-run homerun.

Despite the early miscues, Huntington kept the game competitive. Braden Kauffman drove in a run with a single and another run scored on a wild pitch in the second. Dylan Rost added a two-run double in the third, and Mason Meyer contributed an RBI-double in the fourth to close the gap to 7-5.

The offense, however, couldn’t break through after that, stranding nine runners over the course of the game. Graham Kollen took the loss, giving up seven runs, only two earned, across six innings. He scattered seven hits, walked one and struck out six.

With the split, the Foresters move to 20-21 overall and an even 15-15 in Crossroads League play. Friday afternoon a decision will be made if Saturday’s doubleheader is played at HU or Spring Arbor as dictated by the weather forecast.