SOFTBALL

The HU softball team solidified their spot in the Crossroads League tournament by splitting with Goshen (23-25, 13-21) at Ingold Complex Friday afternoon.

Depending how the Foresters fare against tomorrow’s last regular season doubleheader against #RV Mount Vernon, as well as how other matchups around the league go, Ehlers crew could finish anywhere between sixth – eighth in the final CL standings.

Game one favored the Maple Leafs 7-5. The guests got off to a slow start to trail 4-0 after two but finally got things going in the third when they found home three times with the first run compliments of Courtney Mason’s RBI-double down the third base line after which Mackenzie Walker found a gap in left to drive in two more runs.

After leaving five runners stranded over the next two frames, HU finally took advantage of their ducks on the pond when Adelyn Harsh singled in a pair of runs in the sixth to take over the lead at 5-4. Unfortunately, it was a short-lived celebration as Goshen, who hadn’t scored since the second innings, relied on some timely hitting to erupt for three runs on a Claire Ouellette double that served as the game-winning base smack.

Harsh spent the majority of the game in the circle to be charged with the loss having given up eight hits, four runs and four walks while striking out two.

Mason was a perfect 3-for-3 from the plate, drew a walk and knocked in a run. Walker finished with two hits and two RBI while Breanna Hines also collected two base pokes.

The nightcap had a different feel as the Foresters took an early 2-0 on Abigail Reed’s sacrifice fly in the first that also saw Mason score on a throwing error on the same play. It proved an advantage that never wavered.

Harsh upped the lead to 4-0 in the third on a beauty that sailed over the left center fence for a two-run dinger. The Maple Leafs got one back in the home half of the inning but two frames later, Kiera Stacy knocked in two with a shot to left followed by Audrey Barnes single up the middle to swell the lead to 7-1.

Goshen kept things interesting with a two-run homer in the fifth and then threatened in the bottom of the seventh. With one out and runners on the corners, Hines made an incredible diving catch to not only steal an RBI-hit from Alisyn Catenacci but setup Coach Ehler’s appeal that the runner left third early to which the umpire agreed for the third out to make for the 7-3 final.

Harsh finished with two hits and two RBI. Barnes also posted two hits to go along with an RBI.

Karlee Franklin went the distance for the complete-game win. She finished with six strikeout while giving up eight hits, three runs and a walk.

HU (15-30, 13-21) hits the road again, for the third time this week, to face #RV Mount Vernon tomorrow at 1:00 p.m.