Huntingdon softball opens GSAC tournament with win over Salem

CLEMMONS, N.C. – The Huntingdon softball team took control early and knocked off Salem 6-2 in the first round of the Great South Athletic Conference tournament on Friday.

The top-seeded Lady Hawks (24-9) pushed their conference winning streak to 21 straight games and will play Finlandia (23-6) in the second round on Saturday. Game time was originally scheduled for 2 p.m. Due to weather concerns, the game times were being evaluated late Friday night.

Friday's win was Huntingdon's fifth of the season over Salem. Senior Melissa McClure (14-3) picked up the win, striking out eight, walking two, allowing five hits and two runs in seven innings. Lauren Welch drove in two runs and Jenna Rimensnyder scored twice to lead Huntingdon at the plate.

The Lady Hawks built a 5-0 lead in the first three innings to set the tone. Halleigh DiNicholas singled to score Brittany Richardson and then scored on a Holly Ostrander single for a 2-0 lead in the first inning.

A Welch triple in the second inning scored Jade Reynolds and Alicia Gauker to make it 4-0. Rimensnyder scored on a McClure double to make it 5-0 in the third. Rimensnyder scored Huntingdon's final run on a single by Ashley Hawkins in the fifth inning.