SOFTBALL

The Huntington softball team claimed an 8-7 decision over Goshen Tuesday afternoon at Ingold Athletic Complex before the Maple Leafs returned the favor in the nightcap with a 5-4 win over their guests. The split moves Gower’s crew to 25-23 overall, 14-16 in league play.

While the Maple Leafs (17-29, 7-23) outhit HU in the opener, 11-8, the Foresters made the most of their opportunities highlighted by Kaela Robey’s three-run blast in the top of the first that gave her team not only an early lead, but a permanent one as well. Courtney Mason doubled in two more runs in the frame for a 5-0 advantage.

Robey was at it again the fourth to knock in another run with a two-bagger to deep left-center and then came around to score on Sophia Beachy’s double down the left field line. The duo teamed up again in the sixth for what proved the game-winner when Beachy knocked in Robey with her second RBI-hit of the afternoon.

Goshen scored four runs through the first five innings and then saved their best for last by opening the seventh with a homer and then stringing together three hits to touch home twice more before Meghan Fretz worked her way out of the jam to log the complete-game win. She surrendered 11 hits, seven runs, six of which were earned, and three walks while striking out two.

Another late-game push by the hosts in the nightcap worked in their favor this time. Down 4-3 heading int the seventh, Goshen pieced together three straight singles to knot things up at 4-4 and then brought an end to the contest with a walk-off sacrifice fly for the win.

Beachy continued her tear at the plate. After sending her first pitch over the left-center fence in the fourth, she singled in another run in the fifth. HU’s other two runs came by way of a pair of doubles, one by Paige Eichelberger in the third and the second by Adelyn Harsh in the fourth a few batters after Beachy’s homer.

Harsh took the loss for HU. The rookie hurler gave up nine hits, five runs and two walks while fanning a season-high eight batters.

Huntington returns to their home turf on Friday to host Marian at 3:00 p.m.