BASEBALL

Taking a break from Crossroads League play, the Forester baseball team (23-21) handled business at Forest Glen on Tuesday afternoon, topping IU Columbus 12-6. With the win, Huntington improves to 6-1 all-time against the Crimson Pride, who debuted as a program in 2023.

HU jumped out to a commanding lead, thanks in large part to a hot start from Jace Fowler. The Indiana State transfer launched a solo homer in his first at-bat and followed it up with a base-clearing, three-run double in the second, helping spark a 7-0 Forester lead. That same inning, Beyonce Paco Paulina drove in two with a grounder to right, and Cam Clarkson added another run with a sacrifice fly.

IUC (9-35) clawed back with three unanswered runs to cut the deficit to four, but Huntington responded in the fourth. Fowler, who reached on a walk, eventually crossed home on a wild pitch before Beldon Glasgow knocked an RBI-single to right.

The Foresters outscored their guests 3-2 the rest of the way, highlighted by Bryce Deckman’s eighth-inning home run and a two-run sixth featuring an RBIs-double by Braden Kauffman and a groundout by Michael Slabaugh that brought Kauffman home.

Fowler had a standout performance, going 2-for-3 with two walks, three runs scored, and four RBI. Deckman, Clarkson, Slabaugh, and Paulina each tallied two hits, as both teams finished with 12 hits apiece. HU used six pitchers in the win, as did their visitors, with senior right-hander Jonathan Baker earning the victory after tossing the first three innings and allowing two runs on four hits.

Next up, the Foresters hit the road for a Thursday doubleheader at Mount Vernon with first pitch set for 2:00 p.m.