SOFTBALL

Hosting one of the nation’s best in #11 Indiana Wesleyan, the HU softball team suffered a pair of losses, 2-0, 6-1, Friday afternoon to drop to 18-15 overall, 13-10 in conference play. IWU came out ahead the first time two teams met to wrap up the season series with Huntington 4-0.

The second inning of the opener proved the game’s only offense as the Wildcats (41-6, 22-4) found home twice with a little help from HU’s defense. IWU posted just one hit in the inning but two costly errors translated into two unearned runs for the 2-0 tilt.

The two-run advantage was enough as HU’s bats were quiet all afternoon. IWU pitcher Carlie Weaver put the clamps on Huntington’s offense with Paige Eichelberger collecting the only hit of the contest for the Foresters. HU drew four walks but it wasn’t enough to pose much of a threat as no one advanced beyond first base.

Lairen Miller, despite a solid outing in the circle, was tagged with the loss. She gave up just three hits and two unearned runs while striking out one in seven innings of work.

The nightcap saw a 1-1 tie through the first two frames before the Wildcats pulled away. The visitors struck first but HU answered in the bottom of the second when Audra Klopfenstein, who led off with a single, eventually came around to score on shot up the middle by Joelle Beals.

IWU would go on to score in three of the next four innings to build a five-run cushion that stood the test of time.

Huntington had several scoring opportunities but struggled to capitalize as evidenced by stranding 11 baserunners. They finished with six hits, two from Beals, to go along with four free tickets.

Starting pitcher Meghan Fretz took the loss for HU. She tossed the first 4.1 frames and gave up six hits, four runs and two walks while striking out two.

HU road trips to Mount Vernon tomorrow for a tripleheader against the Cougars beginning at 1PM.