SOFTBALL

The Huntington softball team came up short in a 6-3 decision to #RV Indiana Wesleyan Tuesday afternoon in the opener of a scheduled doubleheader. The second game was underway in the third inning before inclement weather forced a stoppage, with a makeup date still to be announced.

Despite outhitting the Wildcats 9-7, the Foresters left eight runners stranded, including back-to-back innings with the bases loaded, a missed opportunity that proved costly.

After Indiana Wesleyan struck first in the third, HU answered in the fourth thanks to heads-up baserunning from Kasey Hickle. Following a single down the left field line by Jess Duvall, Hickle aggressively took third and never slowed, sneaking home on the throw to even things at 1-1.

That momentum was short-lived. The Wildcats capitalized in the fifth, using patience at the plate and timely hitting to plate three runs, highlighted by a two-RBI double from Leah May. HU again threatened in the home half, loading the bases for a second straight inning, but couldn’t deliver the big hit.

IWU added two more in the sixth to stretch the lead to 6-1 before the Foresters showed some late life. Carli Tharp ripped an RBI single to left to cut into the deficit, but what looked like a potential two-run play ended with a runner thrown out at the plate, halting the rally.

Huntington made one final push in the seventh. Makinzie Kline led off with one of her two hits before Hickle delivered again, lacing a triple down the left field line to plate Kline and make it 6-3. With the tying run eventually coming to the plate, IWU reliever Malayni Clemens shut the door with a game-ending groundout.

Hickle led the charge offensively, going 3-for-4 with a double, triple, RBI and a run scored. Kline added a 2-for-4 showing with a triple and a run, while Tharp chipped in an RBI. Jess Duvall and Maddie Goheen also recorded hits as HU finished with nine on the day.

In the circle, Kinzie Mollenkopf took the loss, tossing 5.2 innings while allowing six runs on seven hits with five walks and three strikeouts. Bethany Haselby provided a bright spot out of the bullpen, closing the game with 1.1 innings of hitless, scoreless relief.

Up Next
With the loss, Huntington drops to 17-12 overall and 9-8 in Crossroads League play. The Foresters return to action Thursday to open the second round of league play, hosting Bethel with first pitch set for 3:00 p.m.