SOFTBALL

The HU softball team traded wins with Grace Monday afternoon at Phil Dick Field. After coming up short in the opener, 2-1, the Foresters cruised past the Lancers in the nightcap, 9-1, in a shortened five-inning contest.

With this split, Huntington moves to 11-14 overall, 6-8 in league play while Grace’s record stands at 5-14 which includes a 4-10 CL record.

Offense was at a minimum for both teams in game one with Grace slipping by their guests in the sixth. The Lancers’ first run came in the opening frame and held until the fifth when Carli Tharp scored from second on Courtney Mason’s RBI-single into shallow center.

HU finished with six hits as a team with Khloee Gregory the lone Forester to strike for two hits.

Despite taking the loss, Karlee Franklin tossed a dandy. She gave up only three hits and two runs, only one of which was earned. She never issued a walk while striking out six during her six innings on the bump.

The Foresters bounced back in the nightcap to run-rule their hosts in five. Maddie Turner was sensational in the circle. The sophomore’s final numbers were unique in that she held Grace hitless but gave up an unearned run and a walk while striking out six for the complete-game win. The Lancers’ only run came in the fourth on a throwing error.

Unlike just an hour prior, the Foresters made it look easy at the plate as they scored in every frame to make quick work of GC. Adelyn Harsh, HU’s DP, stole the show. She finished with three hits which included a  three-run triple and RBI-double to account for four of her team’s runs.

Gregory singled in Huntington’s first two runs with a blast into right-center. Courtney Mason and Maddie Duval each drove in a run by way of a sac fly and rounding out HU’s RBI-base knocks was Jo Walker’s single up the middle in the fourth.

Huntington is back in action tomorrow to host #6 Indiana Wesleyan at 3:00 p.m.