SOFTBALL

The HU softball team wrapped up its week at the Space Coast Games in Melbourne, Florida, with a split on the final day of competition. The Foresters battled #15 Missouri Baptist before falling 4-1 in the opener and then bounced back in impressive fashion with a 2-0 shutout of Hastings to end the trip on a high note.

With the split, HU moves to 8-4 heading into Crossroads League play.

Game One – #15 Missouri Baptist 4, Huntington 1
The Foresters went toe-to-toe with the 15th-ranked Spartans with the two teams finishing just one hit apart as Missouri Baptist held a slight 7-6 edge in the hit column. Ultimately, the Spartans capitalized on key opportunities while also flashing leather defensively to fend off Huntington’s upset bid.

Missouri Baptist struck early with a two-run double in the bottom of the first to jump ahead 2-0.

Huntington answered in the top of the third when Jess Duvall ripped an RBI double to center to plate Makinzie Kline, trimming the deficit to one. Unfortunately for HU, it proved to be their lone run of the contest.

The Foresters threatened multiple times but were unable to push additional runs across, stranding eight runners including a late opportunity in the seventh with a pair of runners aboard.

Missouri Baptist added insurance runs in the fourth and fifth innings to secure the 4-1 decision.

At the plate, Kline and Carli Tharp each collected two hits, accounting for four of Huntington’s six hits. In the circle, Kinzie Mollenkopf (4-2) went the distance, striking out five batters over six innings while allowing seven hits and four runs without issuing a walk to be charged with the loss.

Game Two – Huntington 2, Hastings 0
Huntington responded in dominant fashion in the nightcap thanks to a stellar pitching performance by Natalie Haselby.

The senior southpaw was nearly flawless, tossing a three-hit shutout to record the Foresters’ first clean sheet of the season. Haselby struck out two, issued just one walk and needed only 66 pitches to complete the game as she improved to 4-0 on the year.

The Foresters’ offense backed her up with 10 hits.

HU struck first in the opening inning when Maddie Goheen delivered an RBI single to score Kasey Hickle, who had tripled earlier in the frame. Huntington added an insurance run in the fourth when Carli Tharp lifted a sacrifice fly to center to bring home Gaby Hypes for the final 2-0 margin.

Several Foresters turned in multi-hit efforts as Maddie Duvall went 2-for-2, while Hickle, Jess Duvall, Khloee Gregory, Hypes, Josslynn Harbert and Kline all recorded hits.

The shutout win also highlighted Huntington’s defensive consistency. Over the team’s last four games, the Foresters have committed just one error.

Up Next
Coach Tim Averill’s squad now turns its attention to Crossroads League action, opening conference play on the road Tuesday at Bethel for a 3:00 p.m. doubleheader against the Pilots.