BASEBALL

The HU baseball team opened up league play against #22 Taylor University (17-6, 1-2) on Friday with a 7-6 win at Winterholter Field. Inclement weather forced Saturday’s doubleheader to be moved to Monday afternoon where the Foresters took game one 2-0 before suffering a 5-1 loss in the nightcap. With this split, the Foresters win the series 2-1.

In today’s opener, Alex McCutcheon went the distance to silence a Trojan offense that averages over four runs per game. He scattered five hits and gave up four walks while striking out eight for the complete-game shutout. It’s the fourth time TU has been held scoreless this season.

Offensively, the Foresters, despite being limited to just four hits on the afternoon, still found a way to get the job done. Huntington posted three of those hits in the first frame including Austin Pritchard’s RBI-single up the middle that knocked in Daniel Lichty who had also logged a single up the middle just two batters earlier.

It was quiet after that until the sixth when Collin Landrum opened up the inning with a double to deep right. An intentional walk on either side of a sac bunt set up Satchell Wilson’s fielder’s choice that allowed Landrum to touch home for the game’s final run.

In the nightcap, Taylor scored a pair of runs early to enjoy a lead they would never give up. HU got one back in the fifth on Landrum’s RBI-groundout to pull within 2-1 but the Trojans countered with a run in their half of the frame. They would go on to add two more insurance runs in the sixth to cruise to the win.

TU outhit their visitors 9-6. Both teams left ten runners stranded. Wilson collected two hits for HU including one for extra bases. He along with Donovan Clark and Lichty each hammered out a double.

Mason Shinabery took the loss for Frame’s crew. He tossed the first 5.1 innings and gave up nine hits, five runs, four of which were earned, and three walks while striking out four. Joey Butz offered 2.2 innings of hitless, scoreless relief.

The Foresters are now 6-6 on the year, 2-1 in CL action. Next up is a home stint with Spring Arbor on Friday and Saturday.