SOFTBALL

After being shut out twice by Mount Vernon just weeks ago, Huntington delivered when it mattered most, taking down the Cougars 9-5 Tuesday afternoon at Westendorf Field in an elimination play-in game of the Crossroads League Tournament.

With the win, 7th-seeded HU sends 6th-seeded MVNU home and keeps its postseason alive, improving to 27-22 on the year.

Fast Start Sets the Tone
As the visiting team on the scoreboard, Huntington wasted no time jumping on the Cougars.

The Foresters came out swinging in the first, going a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate to open the frame. Makenzie Kline, Kasey Hickle and Jess Duvall sparked the rally before Maddie Goheen delivered a blooper down the right field line that just stayed fair to plate the game’s first run.

Maddie Duvall followed with an RBI groundout, and Khloee Gregory capped the inning with a rope into right-center for a run-scoring double, giving HU an early 3-0 advantage.

Answering Every Punch
Mount Vernon responded quickly with a two-run homer in the bottom half of the inning, but Huntington never let the momentum swing.

The Foresters kept the Cougars at arm’s length all afternoon, answering every push. HU added two more in the third on an RBI groundout by Goheen and sac fly by Duvall, stretching the lead to 5-2.

Huntington then took advantage of Cougar miscues in the fourth, plating two unearned runs to build a 7-2 cushion.

Even as MVNU chipped away – three of its five runs coming via the long ball – the Foresters stayed in control. Khloee Gregory delivered again in the seventh with an RBI single before Kailee Bishop added an insurance run on a groundout to seal the 9-5 win.

Balanced Attack Powers the Offense
Huntington’s offense was firing on all cylinders, finishing with 12 hits and getting contributions up and down the lineup. The Foresters struck out zero times.

• Kasey Hickle was perfect at the plate, going 4-for-4 with two runs scored
• Khloee Gregory added three hits, including a double, and two RBI
• Maddie Goheen and Maddie Duvall each drove in two runs
• Jess Duvall crossed the plate three times to pace HU

Mollenkopf Goes the Distance
In the circle, Kinzie Mollenkopf delivered a complete-game performance, improving to 16-9 on the season.

The junior scattered eight hits, allowing five runs (four earned) while issuing three walks and striking out two.

Up Next
With the win, Huntington advances to the double-elimination portion of the tournament. The Foresters return to Saint Francis on Wednesday to face 3rd-seeded Marian at noon.