SOFTBALL

The Huntington softball team opened their season on Saturday by sweeping Midway, 7-4, 10-4, Saturday afternoon at Grand Park in Westfield.

There was no rust to be shaken from HU’s bats as Gower’s squad logged double-digit hits in each contest. HU kicked off the day by bolting out to a 5-0 lead in game one to secure a lead they would never relent.

The Foresters hammered out seven of their 11 hits in the first two frames for their fast start. Huntington’s first run came in the first by way of a missed catch after which Abigail Reed singled in a second run for a 2-0 advantage after one. In Huntington’s next at bat, Hannah Shoupe crushed a shot to deep right-center for a triple that drove in two runs and then came around to score on Paige Eichelberger‘s poke up the middle.

Things were quiet until the sixth when Sophia Beachy knocked in Huntington’s sixth run of the afternoon. The Eagles (2-6) finally got on the board in their half of the frame and then kept things interesting in the seventh. After Breanna Hines singled in a run in the top of the seventh, the Eagles made a final push to challenge their guests’ lead.

Katie Rhodes’ one-out three-run dinger pulled Midway within three at 7-4. The next two batters found their way on base to put the tying run at the plate before McKyndsea Burke calmly worked the final two outs to preserve the win and pick up the save.

Meghan Fretz recorded the win in the circle. The senior hurler tossed the first six frames and gave up seven hits, a run and two walks while striking out three.

Eichelberger, Kaela Roby and Darby Minor each posted a pair of hits.

The nightcap was much less dramatic thanks to a huge third inning by Gower and crew. Eleven Foresters stepped up to the plate.

Five hits, two walks and an Eagle error later, HU had touched home seven times. Eichelberger drew a walk with bases loaded to kick off the scoring frenzy. Jada Crofoot singled up the middle to drive in two runs, Robey knocked in three runs with a double down the left field line after which Courtney Mason singled through the hole at second base to bring Robey home.

The Eagles spent the rest of the afternoon outscoring HU 4-3, but the damage was already done.

Adelyn Harsh tossed the first four frames, giving up two hits and a run while striking out three, to pick up the win.

Robey collected three of Huntington’s 13 hits, posted three RBI and scored twice to pace her team offensively. Hines, Beachy and Mason each finished with two hits and an RBI.

The Foresters (2-0) host #14 Olivet Nazarene on Wednesday at Logansport High School.