SOFTBALL

In a pair of one-run contests Wednesday afternoon, the Forester softball team shutout Bethel 1-0 before the Pilots evened the score with a 4-3 decision in the nightcap for the league split.

Karlee Franklin was behind the three-hit shutout. She went the distance in the circle, striking out seven while issuing just one walk. It’s the fourth time this season HU has blanked an opponent.

The hosts managed just two hits in the opener with neither base poke playing a role in the game’s lone run. After Adelyn Harsh and Khloee Gregory drew back-to-back walks, Maddie Duvall bunted them to second and third to set the stage for Maddie Goheen’s hard hit grounder that BU mishandled. In the midst of the bobble, Jocelyn Winebrenner, pinch running for Harsh, was able to sneak home for what ended up the game winning play as the final five frames came and went quietly.

While game two didn’t feature a lot of scoring, it was back and forth as fans saw one tie and three lead changes with the Pilots having the final say in the top of the seventh. The inning started out on a good note for the hosts as Maddie Turner coaxed the first two Bethel batters into grounding out. Unfortunately, things took a drastic turn as the next two Pilots drew walks after which Meghan Younger singled into shallow center to knock in a run.

The Foresters threatened in the home half of the seventh with runners on first and second with two outs, but the Bethel leftfielder made a great snag for out number three to call it quits and deny the hosts a heroic finish.

Turner tossed the final three frames to be charged with the loss having given up a hit, a run and two walks.

Huntington’s first two runs, in the bottom of the first, turned their 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead and came at the bat of Jenessa Hasty who roped a shot into right for a two-run double. After the guests retook the lead at 3-2 in the third, Hasty was at it again in the sixth to deliver another two-bagger, this time driving in Breanna Hines who had singled up the middle just prior.

With today’s split, Rethlake and crew move to 17-22 overall, 12-16 in CL play. The Foresters are back at home on Friday to host Grace at 3:00 p.m.