SOFTBALL

The Huntington softball team opened up spring break Tuesday afternoon at the USAA Space Coast Spring Games with a 4-3 loss to Ave Maria before bouncing back for a convincing five-inning 11-3 win over Florida Memorial shortly after.

After chasing Ave Maria all contest, the Foresters finally caught up at 2-2 after seven to force the international tie breaker rule that places a runner on second base to start each inning. It had all the makings of a heroic comeback as HU took full advantage of the rule to finally enjoy their first lead of the day in the top of the eighth on a Jocelyn Winebrenner sacrifice fly for 3-2 advantage.

Unfortunately the Gyrenes also jumped on the opportunity to find home twice in the bottom of the eighth on a walk-off two-run single to claim the win.

HU’s first run came in the second on Carli Tharpe’s RBI double while the tying run in the seventh was compliments of Jessica Devall’s three-bagger to left that drove in Khloee Gregory who had drawn one of Huntington’s five walks for the game.

Karlee Franklin camped out on the mound to be charged with the loss. In 7.1 innings of work, she gave up seven hits, four runs, three of which were earned, and four walks while striking out ten.

Game two was Natalie Haselby first collegiate start and rookie hurler pitched a dandy to earn the win in the circle. In a game cut short because of the run-rule, she tossed five innings during which she gave up just four hits and three runs while striking out three without surrendering any walks.

The Foresters jumped out to an early 3-0 advantage and never relented their lead. Breanna Hines got things started for her team with an RBI-base poke into left in the first. HU plated another run on the next play by way of an error. It was the start of HU tapping into whatever means necessary to find home as the next frame, Winebrenner, who had worked a walk, eventually snuck home on a passed ball.

After a quiet third, both squads scored in the fourth. The Lions put up two runs in the top of the frame to draw within one at 3-2, but Huntington’s answer was punishing as evidenced by going off for eight runs. Winebrenner led off with a triple followed by Gena Moore’s infield single. The wheels completely came off for FMU after that.

Five walks, six wild pitches, two hit batters and a two-run double by Maddie Duvall was the perfect storm for HU to touch home eight times and blow the game wide open. While the Lions got one back in the top of the fifth, it was too little too late as the mercy rule forced the stoppage of play.

The Foresters (2-1) are back in action tomorrow to take on NCAA Division II Lynn at 4:00 p.m. followed by a 6:30 meeting with Michigan-Dearborn.