BASEBALL

The #RV Huntington baseball team kicked-off their four-game series against #19 Indiana Wesleyan (34-11, 23-3) by suffering a pair of road losses Friday afternoon, 12-1, 9-8, to the Wildcats.

The opener was a game the Foresters would just as soon forget. What was a 3-1 contest through the first five frames, turned into a blowout when IWU unleashed for nine runs in the sixth for a 12-1 affair that ended two innings short compliments of the mercy rule.

Daniel Lichty accounted for HU’s lone run. After getting hit by a pitch, the third baseman stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch and then cruised come on the same play compliments of a wild throw.

Camden Dice suffered his first loss of the season by giving up 13 hits and 12 runs while striking out five in 5.2 innings of work.

There was plenty of action in game two. The lead toggled back and forth three times with the Wildcats having the final say. HU claimed an early 2-0 lead after their first at-bat, but the hosts spent the next two innings taking over the lead at 4-2. Frame’s crew didn’t let it stick.

The top of the fifth saw Dice single in a pair of runs to knot things up at 4-4 but it was Max Moser’s first collegiate homer, a three-run blast over the right field fence, that headlined the frame. IWU got two back in their half of the inning for a 7-6 tilt in favor of the guests.

Lichty’s sac fly in the sixth cushioned HU’s lead to 8-6 but it wouldn’t be enough. One mighty swing of the bat with two runners on by Tye Thixton in the bottom of the frame gave the Wildcats a one-run advantage. It stood the test of time as reliever and winning pitcher Braedon Norman worked three strikeouts in the top of the seventh to close the deal.

Moser finished with two hits and three RBI. Ian McCutcheon added three hits. Satchell Wilson finished with a hit and two RBI while Owen Young posted a pair of base pokes and an RBI.

Alex McCutcheon was charged with the loss. In 5.1 innings on the bump, the senior southpaw surrendered 11 hits, nine runs and two walks while striking out two.

The Foresters (24-10, 17-9) head back to IWU tomorrow for a 1:00 p.m. doubleheader with the Wildcats.