SOFTBALL

The Forester softball team completed a dominant day at Gardner Field on Saturday, run-ruling Bethel 11-2 in six innings in game one before shutting out their hosts 5-0 in the nightcap. The pair of wins capped off a 4-0 season sweep over the Pilots (8-30, 3-21), with Huntington also blanking them in their first meeting.

In the opener, both teams exchanged early leads. Gene Moore opened the scoring with an RBI-single in the first, but two hits and a pair of HU errors in the second allowed Bethel to take a brief 2-1 lead. From there, sophomore pitcher Kinzie Mollenkopf took over.

The sophomore hurler allowed just four hits the rest of the way to earn the complete-game win. When all the dust settled, both runs Mollenkopf gave up were of the unearned variety. She finished with seven strikeouts while giving up six hits and a walk.

Offensively, the Foresters were firing on all cylinders. Maddie Duvall led the charge, delivering an RBI-single in the fourth before launching a two-run homer in the fifth. Maddie Goheen added a pair of RBI, one on a sacrifice fly and another on a fielder’s choice. Kaylee Dudzik drove in two with a double to right center in the fourth, while Jess Duvall chipped in with an RBI-single in the sixth and later scored on a passed ball.

Game two belonged to Natalie Haselby. The junior lefty was lights out in the circle, throwing a complete-game shutout while allowing just three hits, two walks, and striking out five.

HU struck early with a second-inning RBI-single by Kasey Hickle and added insurance late. In the fifth, freshman Josslynn Harbert manufactured a run with her speed, drawing a walk, stealing second, advancing on Carli Tharp’s  sac bunt, and scoring on a wild pitch. Maddie Duvall and Kylie Fisher each delivered RBI-singles in the sixth, with Duvall later scoring on a savvy baserunning play to seal the win.

With Saturday’s sweep, Coach Tim Averill’s squad has now won 13 of their last 16 games, improving to 25-10-1 overall and 14-7-1 in league play. The Foresters are back home Monday to host No. 14 Marian, with first pitch set for 3:00 p.m.