SOFTBALL

The HU softball team enjoyed a 17-0 blowout in five innings over Fisher College (Ma.) before suffering their first loss of the season, a 5-1 decision, to Keiser Monday afternoon at the Space Coast Games in Melbourne, Fla. With this split, Huntington moves to 7-1 on the year.

The Foresters had their way with the Falcons in the opener, wasting little time taking command of the contest. In their opening at-bat, HU unleashed for 11 runs by piecing together five hits, eight walks, three steals, a hit batter and wild pitch. The Foresters more than batted around with Kayelee Dudzik’s grand slam topping the first inning highlight reel. For the sophomore outfielder, it marked not only her first collegiate dinger, but her first hit in Forester green.

The only other run-scoring hit in the first included Josslynn Harbert’s single into right early in the inning. The freshman centerfielder also walked in a run later while three other Foresters in Gabrielle Hypes, Bethany Haselby and Savanna Sullivan each worked an RBI-free pass. Madison Heinzmann also got in on the action, pushing a run across home plate when she got hit by a pitch with bases loaded.

Jo Walker drove in a pair of runs in the second by rocketing a double into center field as the only other RBI-hit of the afternoon.

When all was said and done, the Foresters logged nine hits with Walker leading the way by going 3-for-3 with two RBI. Dudzik picked up a fifth RBI in the second frame when she worked a walk with bases loaded to finish with a homerun and five RBI. Natalie Haselby claimed two hits as HU’s first baseman.

Pitching was by committee with Bethany Haselby earning the win having tossed the first three innings without giving up a hit, run or walk while striking out six. Khloee Gregory and Gena Moore each tossed an inning of relief. Not part of HU’s typical pitching rotation, neither one gave up a hit while combining for a walk and two strikeouts.

Game two against the Seahawks, HU got down right off the bat and never could rebound from their 3-0 deficit. The Foresters’ lone run came at the bat of Moore in the bottom of the first when she ripped a single down the left field line to knock in Jess Duvall who had tripled just prior.

While Averill’s crew finished with seven hits to Keiser’s eight, HU wasn’t able to convert that into points on the scoreboard at the same rate the Seahawks did. Moore claimed three of her team’s seven base smacks.

Starting pitcher Kinzie Mollenkopf was tagged with the loss. During her six innings in the circle, she gave up eight hits, four runs and a walk while striking out two. Karlee Franklin tossed the final frame where she surrendered an unearned run and a base on balls.

The Foresters are off tomorrow before taking on Michigan-Dearborn and Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday.