BASEBALL

The Huntington baseball team wrapped up their series against Bethel Monday afternoon with a pair of wins, 11-1, 2-1, at Forest Glen Park.

The Foresters came out swinging in the opener to run rule the Pilots in eight. HU pounded out 12 hits to Bethel’s three with Matt Wolff, Jordan Malott and Ryne Wheeler going yard to account for four runs.

Wheeler also knocked in two more runs on a pair of singles to finish 3-for-4 at the plate with three RBI. Wolff was the first to drive in a run for HU in the first on an RBI-groundout. Beyounce Paco Paulina then blasted a double to the warning track in right field in the second to kick off a three-run frame.

As it turned out, Huntington scored in all but one inning with Paulina’s sacrifice fly in the eighth bringing a halt to the game thanks to ten runs separating the two squads. Six Foresters posted at least one RBI. Nine of HU’s 12 hits were for extra bases. Additionally Frame’s crew drew eight walks to round out a busy day in the dish for the hosts.

Noah Arbuckle picked up the win having scattered just three hits and given up one run and two walks in seven innings on the mound. The senior hurler had an efficient afternoon having logged just 76 pitches.

While HU’s high octane offense dominated the opener, that wasn’t the case for the nightcap that proved a pitcher’s duel. All of the action took place in the seventh. Through the first six frames, the two teams combined for just five hits.

Bethel finally got something going in their last at-bat. With two outs and a runner on first, Seth Ambrose lasered a shot down the right field line for an RBI-double and the game’s first run. Not to be outdone, the Foresters rallied back for the come-from-behind victory.

After Bryce Deckman started things off by finding a hole in right field and then advancing to second on a wild pitch, Gregory Nolasco Berroa replicated Ambrose’s shot down the right field line to drive in Deckman for the equalizer. Matt Wolff was intentionally walked setting the stage a walk-off finish at the bat of Malott.

Down in the count 1-2, the sophomore first baseman ripped a shot into right field which gave Berroa plenty of time to cruise home and send the dugout into a tizzy.

RJ Anglin got the starting nod for HU and threw the first six frames, giving up just three hits and two walks while striking out five for the no decision. After Carter Walker notched the first two outs of the seventh, Adam Oxley worked a ground out for the final out to be awarded the win.

Today’s two wins completes the 4-0 series sweep over BU. Huntington boasts an 16-11 record which includes an 11-5 CL record. HU is currently sitting third in the league standings, one game behind IWU and three games behind top-seeded Taylor.

Frame and crew host Taylor on Thursday with opening pitch at 3:00 p.m.