SOFTBALL

The HU softball team ran into a tough day at the plate Saturday afternoon, dropping a pair of 3-0 decisions to the Mount Vernon Nazarene Cougars at Cougar Field.

With the sweep, Mount Vernon claims the season series 3-1 after the two teams split earlier meetings on March 19 at HU.

Game 1 – Mount Vernon 3, Huntington 0
Game one played out as a pitcher’s duel, but the Cougars made the most of their limited chances, scoring three runs on just four hits, two of which went for extra bases.

Despite the loss, Kinzie Mollenkopf was solid in the circle, allowing just four hits and two earned runs over six innings while striking out two.

Huntington, meanwhile, couldn’t find its rhythm offensively, finishing with just three hits. Makinzie Kline, Jess Duvall and Josslynn Harbert accounted for HU’s hits, but the Foresters were unable to string anything together, stranding just two runners in the contest.

Mount Vernon broke through in the fourth with an RBI double before adding two insurance runs in the sixth with a triple and a sac fly to secure the opener.

Game 2 – Mount Vernon 3, Huntington 0
The nightcap followed a similar script as Huntington’s offensive struggles continued. The Foresters were limited to just two hits and never mounted a serious threat.

Maddie Goheen and Akasha Burton recorded HU’s lone hits, but the Cougars took control early with two runs in the second before tacking on an insurance run in the sixth.

Mount Vernon totaled 10 hits in game two, including five in the first 3.1 innings against Natalie Haselby, who took the loss after allowing two runs while striking out two. Bethany Haselby provided relief, tossing the final 2.2 innings and giving up one run while fanning three.

Huntington wrapped up the day at 21-17 overall and 13-13 in league play and will look to bounce back Tuesday when the Foresters host the Taylor Trojans at 3:00 p.m.