BASEBALL

The HU baseball team opened its southern swing in emphatic fashion Friday, sweeping Olivet Nazarene in a neutral-site doubleheader at Pelham High School in Georgia. The Foresters run-ruled the Tigers 12-1 in seven innings in the opener before securing a 6-3 win in the nightcap to improve to 4-1 on the young season. Friday marked opening day for Olivet Nazarene, as they slip to 0-2.

Game 1 – Huntington 12, Olivet Nazarene 1
After surrendering a solo home run in the Tigers’ opening at-bat, Huntington wasted little time turning the game on its head behind a dominant effort on both sides of the ball.

RJ Anglin was sensational in his second start of the season, striking out 11 batters while allowing just two hits and one run over six innings. The right-hander walked two and faced minimal trouble the rest of the way. Carter Walker slammed the door with a scoreless seventh, striking out two.

Offensively, the Foresters broke the game open in the bottom of the second with five runs on three hits. The biggest blow came from Jace Fowler, who ripped a full-count single to drive in two and give HU a 5-1 lead.

Huntington added another crooked number in the fourth, plating five more runs on five hits. Cam Clarkson and Zach Pelletier delivered run-scoring doubles, Owen Willard added an RBI single, and HU capitalized on a dropped third strike and an ONU error to stretch the margin to double digits.

The Foresters finished with 10 hits and seven walks, while limiting ONU to just two hits. Clarkson, Tanner Reinartz, and Willard each collected two hits, while Deklan Thompson and Reinartz drove in two runs apiece. Keifer Wilson drew two walks as part of HU’s patient approach at the plate.

Game 2 – Huntington 6, Olivet Nazarene 3
Huntington carried its momentum into the nightcap, striking quickly in the first inning. An ONU error opened the door before Owen Willard launched a two-run homer to right field, giving HU an early 4-0 advantage.

The Foresters added another run in the second when Fowler doubled down the left-field line, and a groundout by Reinartz pushed the lead to 6-1 in the third.

Olivet Nazarene scattered three runs across the third and fourth innings, but never truly threatened after falling behind early.

Freshman Max Engle impressed in his first collegiate start, earning the win after allowing three hits and three runs (one earned) across six innings. The southpaw struck out eight and walked three. Dylan Eggl closed things out with a clean seventh, striking out two to earn his first save of the season.

Willard paced the offense again, finishing with two RBIs and swiping a base, while Fowler added an RBI double. HU made the most of its chances, scoring six runs on just three hits while drawing three walks.

The Foresters will remain in Georgia and return to action Saturday for another doubleheader against the Tigers.