SOFTBALL

Both teams scored often Thursday afternoon at Westendorf Field with Saint Francis topping the Huntington softball team twice, 12-7, 12-9.

Game one saw the Foresters strike first in the opening frame behind back-to-back RBI-singles by Abigail Reed and Adelyn Harsh. Unfortunately, the hosts had a busy first at-bat too to find home four times for a lead they would take over and hold on to the rest of the way.

While the Foresters never led after that, they kept things interesting. Down 5-2, HU scored in the third on an error and in the fourth on a Courtney Mason RBI-single to pull within a run. USF answered with four runs in the fifth to build up a five-run cushion only to watch it dwindle down to two in the next frame.

This time it was Breanna Hines who spearheaded Huntington’s scoring by ripping a triple to the tune of two RBI after which Reed hammered out another RBI-single to make it a 9-7 contest. Once again Saint Francis answered, matching HU’s sixth inning run-total to make for the final 12-7 score.

Huntington finished with nine hits, three at the bat of Reed.

Karlee Franklin tossed the first two innings to be charged with the loss after giving up six hits, five runs, only two of which were earned, and four walks while striking out two.

The nightcap featured a tie and three lead swaps to make for an eventful end to the series between this neighborly rivalry. HU outhit the Cougars 15-12 but committed three errors to USF’s zero to make for the difference in the game.

Mackenzie Walker had a day at the plate. After sending one yard for two runs, she posted a sacrifice fly for a third RBI and then knocked in a fourth run with a single into left field in consecutive innings beginning in the second. Her dinger was the first of her collegiate career.

Hines was also a key cog offensively for Ehler’s crew with a pair of run-scoring doubles on her way to three hits and two RBI while Reed carried over her hot sticks from the opener with a solo shot and RBI-single to finish with two hits and two RBI in game two.

Rounding out HU’s big numbers at the plate were Jenessa Hasty with a pair of base pokes and RBI and Harsh with three hits.

Three Foresters spent time on the mound with Harsh taking the loss. In 2.1 innings, she gave up four hits, five runs and three walks.

The Foresters (14-29, 12-20) are back in action tomorrow to face Goshen at 3:00 p.m.