SOFTBALL

In their conference opener, the HU softball team hosted a tough Mount Vernon squad at World Baseball Academy in Fort Wayne Wednesday afternoon and came up short twice, 4-0, 4-1.

The Foresters have hit a rough patch as of late with six straight losses to drop to 5-8 on the year which includes an 0-2 league record. On the other hand, the Cougars, receiving votes in the most recent NAIA poll, are off to hot start with a 10-1 record that includes two CL wins.

Offense did not come easy for HU in the opener as evidenced by zeros on the scoreboard. Rethlake’s crew put up four hits with their most promising opportunity coming in the second when they led off with back-to-back singles by Courtney Mason and Breanna Hines respectively.

At that point Huntington was only down 1-0 but unfortunately it stayed that way as winning pitcher Sheridan Sullivan worked her way out of the jam to preserve the shutout. The junior hurler fanned 14 Foresters during her seven frames in the circle.

The Cougars put up the first run in their opening at bat and then added the other three in the fifth when they hammered out a pair of base pokes and took advantage of two HU errors.

Karlee Franklin got the starting nod before being relieved in the fifth inning debacle to be charged with the loss having given up five hits, four runs, three earned, and three walks while striking out six.

HU’s offensive woes continued in the nightcap but the hosts still managed to grab the lead in the fourth on a  Khloee Gregory sac fly.

Maddie Turner warded off MVNU through the first four frames before errors caught up to the Foresters. They finished with five in the contest with the third coming at a cost as it led to two runs and forfeiture of the lead in the fifth.

The visitors added two insurance runs in the sixth to wrap up the sweep. Turner took the loss. She tossed the first 5.1 innings and gave up four hits, four runs, two earned, and four walks while striking out two.

The Foresters have a quick turnaround as they host Goshen tomorrow at 1:00 p.m.