SOFTBALL

The Forester softball team was the latest victim of #17 Marian Thursday afternoon at MU Softball Field. The Knights handed Huntington two losses, 4-0, 5-3, to remain perfect in CL action at 10-0. Since losing their season opener, MU has won 19 straight.

Pitching was on display for both teams in the opener until the fifth when the Knights finally cracked Karlee Franklin’s code. After a pair of singles, MU was the benefactor of a Huntington error to score twice. The hosts were at it again in the sixth to eventually find home twice on a two-bagger to right.

HU never really got anything going having logged just three hits. They left four runners stranded, three of which were in scoring position. Franklin took the loss after giving up seven hits and four runs, only two earned, while striking out seven in six innings of work.

While it wasn’t the outcome the Foresters were hoping for, they had a better showing in the nightcap. Their downfall came in the first two frames when they gave up three runs which forced them to play catchup the rest of the contest. HU outscored their hosts 3-2 after but the slow start was their kryptonite.

Maddie Duvall got one back on an RBI-fielder’s choice in the third after which Jo Walker smacked a single through the left side to plate another run. The fifth saw Khloee Gregory double in HU’s third run. It was a one-run game at that point before the Knights scored in the home half of the frame which represented the last run of the afternoon.

Gregory cranked out three of her team’s six hits. Natalie Haselby was tagged with the loss. She was a permanent fixture on the bump and gave up 11 hits, five runs and three walks while striking out one.

The Foresters (10-13, 5-7) return to their home turf on Saturday to host Bethel at 1:00 p.m.