SOFTBALL

Friday wasn’t the day the Forester softball team had hoped for. Originally scheduled as a home doubleheader, the weather had other plans as HU’s rain-saturated field was unplayable forcing the games to be moved to Goshen where the Maple Leafs took two wins from HU, 6-4, 3-1.

Since it was originally a home series for HU, Ehler’s crew was considered the hosts on the scoreboard.

In the opener, Huntington’s response after giving up a run in the top of the first was impressive as they countered by touching home four times in the bottom of the frame.

With bases loaded and just one out, Courtney Mason knocked in the equalizer with a single up the middle. It was the first of three straight RBI-base knocks with Khloee Gregory finding a hole in center field and then Maddie Duval sending a single into left that drove in two runs to make for a 4-1 ball game.

Unfortunately that was the last time HU found home. They left nine batters stranded the rest of the way which included leaving bases loaded in the sixth and two on in the seventh.

The Maple Leafs pulled within one in the fourth but then unleashed for three in the top of the seventh for the go ahead. Emma Payton took the loss for Huntington. She tossed the last 3.1 innings to give up five hits and three runs, two of which were earned, while striking out four.

Jess Duvall accounted for two of her team’s eight hits.

Game two was a pitchers’ duel with both hurlers giving up just one earned run. Unfortunately, HU’s defense proved their demise as they gave up two unearned runs having committed three errors. Gregory was Huntington’s only offense. The sophomore second baseman went yard in the fifth. It’s the fifth homer of her career.

Kinzie Mollenkopf was charged with the loss. In her seven innings of work, the rookie gave up seven hits, three runs and three walks while striking out six.

Huntington (13-17, 5-11) returns home tomorrow to host #7 Marian at 1:00 p.m.