Hawks Split Double-Header With The Washington University Of Saint Louis

MONTGOMERY,Ala.- In their final non-conference double-header of the season, Huntingdon softball (17-3 overall) split games against the Washington University of Saint Louis (7-3 overall), dropping the first 1-0 but regathering to earn a 4-3 victory in the second. In the first game, Huntingdon could not find much rhythm offensively, despite their strong defensive efforts. The Hawks got ahead early on in the second game, and despite the Bears late rally, they were able to hang on for the victory.

Game one

Allie Roberts earned the start for the Hawks, and continued her strong play this season early on in this game, earning three outs in as many at-bats in the opening frame. The Hawks were unable to capitalize however, replicating the Bears frame with three consecutive outs. Washington earned the first base hit of the game with a double in the second inning, but were unable to score due to Roberts striking out two batters to close the frame. Bailey Murphy earned the first base hit of the game for the Hawks with a single, which Maddie Grace Hubbard followed with a single of her own, but a groundout closed the inning with no runs scored. This defensive stallworth continued over the course of the next 4 innings, resulting in an extra eighth inning. The Bears were finally able to break the stalemate with a run in the top of the eighth inning, and the Hawks were unable to answer, falling 1-0.

Hawk Top Performers

• Allie Roberts- allowed 4 hits, no runs, and threw 49 strikes on 62 pitches

• Maddie Grace Hubbard- 2/3 at the plate with a two singles

Game two

The second game started much like the first with no runs scored, largely in part to starting pitcher Brooke Cooper's excellent frame with only one hit given up. The Hawks got on the board first in the second inning with a walk securing a run for Maddie Grace Hubbard, giving Huntingdon an early advantage.At the following at bat, Brooke Stefankiewicz singled down the middle of the field, allowing Miranda Treadway to give the Hawks a 2-0 lead.Huntingdon closed the inning with a single from Kylie Stephens bringing home Riley Rudick to push the advantage to 3-0. The Bears responded in the top frame of the third inning with a run to cut the deficit to 3-1, but Huntingdon responded in the fourth with another hit from Kylie Stephens bringing home Kamryn Miller to extend the Huntingdon lead to 4-1. Washington scored two runs in the top of the 6th inning to reduce the lead to just one point, but when it mattered most, Brooke Cooper put away three consecutive Bear batters to secure a victory for the Hawks.

Hawk Top Performers

• Kylie Stephens- 3/4 at the plate with two RBI's

• Brooke Cooper- 36 strikes on 52 pitches with one strikeout

The Hawks return to action after Spring Break on March 23rd with a conference double-header at home against Maryville. Games are scheduled for 12:00 and 2:00 PM CT.