BASEBALL

The avalanche didn’t slow down – it intensified. After exploding for 31 runs Thursday, Huntington rolled right back into Robbie Jones Field Friday afternoon and slammed the door on MidAmerica Nazarene with a 14-1 and 9-1 doubleheader sweep to complete the four-game series.

When the dust settled, Coach Frame’s crew had outscored the Pioneers 54-6 over the four games, improving to 10-1 on the year in emphatic fashion.

Pitching was once again surgical. The Foresters surrendered just two total runs across 14 innings on Friday, allowing only seven hits combined.

Game One – Huntington 14, MidAmerica Nazarene 1
The opener was effectively decided before the Pioneers could blink. Huntington erupted for six runs in the first inning, capitalizing on two MNU errors and stringing together timely hitting and disciplined small ball. Deklan Thompson crossed first on a Pioneer miscue before Owen Willard roped an RBI-double into right center. Tanner Reinartz delivered a two-run single, while additional runs came via productive outs and pressure on the bases.

The Foresters added another in the second on a Keifer Wilson sac fly before breaking things open in the fifth. Braden Kauffman’s two-run single pushed the lead to 9-1, and Tanner Reinartz showed heads-up awareness by racing home on a dropped third strike throw. Four more runs in the seventh served as the finishing touch.

Offensively, HU pounded out 10 hits, drew six walks and had seven different players record an RBI. Reinartz (2-for-3, 3 runs, 2 RBI), Willard (2-for-5, 2 runs, 2 doubles), and RJ Anglin (1-for-4, 3 RBI) paced the attack, while Kauffman added two RBI and Zach Pelletier reached base three times.

On the mound, Grant Simmons was dominant. The 6-4 graduate student tossed a complete game, scattering just three hits, allowing one run, issuing zero walks, and striking out five on 87 pitches. He faced 24 batters and never let the Pioneers build momentum.

Game Two – Huntington 9, MidAmerica Nazarene 1
The nightcap started with MNU scratching across a run in the first, but the response was immediate.

Kade Flores evened things up in the second with an RBI single before Cam Clarkson delivered the go-ahead RBI double in the third. From there, Huntington methodically pulled away, scoring at least one run in each of the final four innings. The seventh inning highlighted the Foresters’ hottest bats. Anglin ripped a two-run triple, Flores followed with an RBI single, and Thompson added another RBI knock to cap the scoring.

Huntington’s offense collected 15 hits in the finale with Thompson (3-for-5), Willard (2-for-4, 2 runs), Wilson (2-for-4), Anglin (2-for-3, triple, 2 RBI) and Flores (2-for-4, 2 RBI) leading the charge. The Foresters also swiped five bases and turned a pair of double plays defensively to keep pressure on MNU.

On the bump, rookies handled business. Kai Newman earned the win, surrendering four hits and one run while striking out six over five innings. Aidan Micinski and Dylan Eggl combined for two scoreless, hitless innings of relief to seal it.

The Foresters now turn attention to their home opener this weekend, hosting St. Ambrose with a 3:30 p.m. doubleheader Friday followed by another twin bill Saturday at 1:00 p.m.