SOFTBALL

Wednesday morning marked the start of the HU softball team’s second season as they kicked off the Crossroads League Tournament by giving 2nd-seeded Marian all they could handle before dropping a 7-6 decision to the Knights. Ehler and crew bounced back to in the afternoon to knock 6th-seeded Goshen out of the tourney by serving up a 5-2 loss to the Maple Leafs.

What started as a pitcher’s duel against MU in first round action ended with some big sticks to make for a dramatic finish. The first three frames came and went quietly without a runner from either team advancing beyond second.

The higher-seeded Knights finally got on the board in the fourth and then added to their total by way of a three-run homer in the fifth to take a 4-0 advantage. But the gritty Foresters were far from throwing in the towel.

Jenessa Hasty got her team going with a lead-off single in the sixth after which Breanna Hines found a hole in right center for a double that put them both in scoring position to set up Courtney Mason’s sac fly after which Hines was able to scamper home on a dropped fly for a 4-2 ball game.

After a 1-2-3 bottom of the inning, it was do or die for the Foresters in the seventh and they did not disappoint. After pinch hitter Kiera Stacy singled her way on base, Hasty and Hines posted back-to-back hits again with Hines’ smack knocking in a run. Next up was Mason who launched one over the left field fence for a two-run homer that put her team on top 6-4 with one mighty swing.

Unfortunately, things fell into place for Marian after that as the game ended in walk-off fashion on a controversial hit by pitch call to wrap it up.

Despite taking the loss, Karlee Franklin tossed a dandy having struck out nine while giving up nine hits, seven runs and five walks.

The top of the order took charge at the plate with Hasty and Hines each hammering out three hits and collecting an RBI while Mason posted a dinger, the third of her career, and three RBI.

The loss sent Huntington into the elimination bracket to face Goshen. It was another slow start that ended with a lot of action in the latter part of the contest.

After three innings of scoreless softball, Ehler’s crew put up a run in the bottom of the fourth on a Jocelyn Winebrenner RBI-single. The Maple Leafs response was immediate as they pieced together two hits, two walks and an error to find home twice for the 2-1 lead in their next at-bat.

The Foresters faced a new pitcher in the sixth and wasted little time making the most of it. After back-to-back hits and a walk to load the bases, Mason took a pitch in the forearm to bring in a run after which Adelyn Harsh drew a walk to plate a second run. Another pitching change didn’t faze Stacy who doubled in a pair of runs to push the lead out to 5-2 which proved the final score.

Senior MacKyndsea Burke tossed a gem to pick up the complete-game win having given up six hits, two runs and five walks while striking out three.

Stacy finished with two hits and two RBI while Hasty and Barnes each posted a pair of base pokes as well.

The Foresters (16-33) are back in action tomorrow to face Taylor at 10:00 a.m. in another elimination game at Marian.