SOFTBALL

The Forester softball team kicked off its season Friday afternoon against one of the top teams in the nation in the University of the Cumberlands. HU took a 3-1 lead into the fourth against the 22nd-ranked Patriots before dropping a 10-3 decision to the hosts on opening day of the Bear Creek Tournament.

First-year head coach Erin Ehler was encouraged by what she saw. “There were too many positive things going on today to be upset that we lost. We are young and we have a lot to be proud of today.”

It was a mighty swing by Jocelyn Winebrenner that accounted for all of Huntington’s scoring. After Audrey Barnes led off with a single in the top of the third, Breanna Hines doubled her to third to set the stage for Winebrenner’s three-run blast over the left field fence.

It was the sophomore shortstop’s first collegiate dinger and turned her team’s 1-0 deficit into a 3-1 advantage. HU held off CU in the bottom of the third but the final three frames belonged to the hosts as they put up at least two runs an inning on the way to their fourth win of the year. The Patriots entered the day having already played five games.

In addition to Huntington’s three hits in the third, Abigail Reed collected a pair of base pokes for a total of five hits on the day to Cumberlands’ ten.

Maddie Turner got the initial nod in the circle where she gave up four hits, five runs and three walks to be charged the loss.

The Foresters (0-1) are back in action tomorrow to take on Cleary at 11:00 a.m. and Lawrence Tech at 4:00 p.m.