SOFTBALL

It was sweet revenge for the Forester softball team at Coach Phil Dick Field. After dropping both games to Grace the first time these two squads met, HU returned the favor Friday afternoon by sweeping their hosts, 2-0, 15-4.

Karlee Franklin was credited with the shutout in game one. The rookie hurler went the distance, scattering seven hits and a walk while striking out one for the complete-game win.

Abigail Reed clocked one out of the park in the fifth to finally break the scoring drought that characterized the contest up to that point. Breanna Hines added an insurance run in the seventh with an RBI-base knock that brought in Cali Humphries, pinch runner for Kiera Stacy who had doubled down the left field line a batter prior.

The nightcap was HU’s most productive game of the year. The Foresters have logged double-digit hits in 11 outings with today’s 16 base pokes proving a season-leading while fifteen runs proved their second best run total of the year.

The game didn’t turn into a blowout until the final two frames. Holding onto a slim 5-4 lead heading into the sixth, HU unleashed for six runs and then piled on four more in the seventh to cruise to the win.

While Huntington’s offense was impressive, their defense had multiple shining moments too with the sixth the most notable as they calmly retired the side with bases loaded to end the inning.

The top of the sixth saw HU trading hits for runs. The guests logged five hits and took advantage of two free passes and an error to touch home six times highlighted by Hines and Audrey Barnes each posting an RBI-double and Reed, who doubled in a pair of runs in the first, and Kiera Stacy each pounding out a run-producing single.

Stacy added another RBI-single to her total in the seventh while Adelyn Harsh as well drove in a run with a single up the middle. Hines was also at it again, this time finding a hole at second base for an RBI-single. Barnes also added a second RBI to her name with a groundout.

When all was said and done, 20 batters stepped up to the plate for the Foresters in the sixth and seventh. For the game, Stacy, Mason and Hines each tallied three hits and combined for five RBI. Reed and Harsh posted two hits apiece and knocked in three runs each.

While Ehler’s crew sifted through five Grace pitchers, Maddie Turner was the lone Forester to spend time in the circle to claim the complete-game win by giving up just six hits, four runs and four walks while striking out six.

With these dubs, HU moves to 10-21 overall, 8-12 in league play. The Foresters return home tomorrow to host Taylor at 1:00 p.m.