#12 Softball Splits Double-Header With #8 Belhaven

JACKSON, MISS.- In a double-header with major conference and national implications, twelth ranked Huntingdon softball (22-4 overall, 5-1 CCS) split games with #8 Belhaven(26-4 overall, 9-1 CCS), dropping the first 4-0 but regathering for a 8-1 win in the second game. The Blazers controlled the game from the circle in the first game, throwing a no-hitter to shut out the Hawks. A massive fourth inning from Huntingdon in the second game, featuring a 3-run home run from Riley Rudick, pushed the Hawks to a massive victory.

Game 1

Belhaven established the tone right out of the gate, putting away the first three Hawk batters to close the opening frame quickly. Freshman standout Allie Roberts matched the Blazers start with an equally as strong one, striking out two of the three Blazer batters to close the first inning. The first run of the day would come in the top of the third inning with the Blazers drilling a two-run home run to break the ice and take a 2-0 lead. The Hawks found themselves with a runner in scoring position in the following frame, but Belhaven would strike out a Huntingdon batter swinging to escape the inning with no runs allowed. Roberts and the Hawks defense kept the Blazers off the board in the fifth inning, but the Hawks could not capitalize. Belhaven would put in two more runs in the sixth innings to hold a 4-0 advantage, and the Blazers would earn six outs in as many Huntingdon batters to close the game and walk away with the victory.

In the circle

• Allie Roberts pitched a complete game for the Hawks, allowing 4 runs on 5 hits with 7 strikeouts

Game 2

The second game began much like the first, with the first three Huntingdon batters being put away and Hawks pitcher Brooke Cooper returning the favor in the following frame to keep the score even at 0 entering the second inning. The Hawks struck first in the top frame of the second inning with a double from Riley Rudick bringing home Jordan Holman to put Huntingdon ahead 1-0. The Blazers responded in the following frame with a home run to even the score going into the third inning. With neither team generating any offense in the third inning, Riley Rudick broke the ice in the fourth inning with a three-run home run to give Huntingdon back the lead at 4-1. Jordan Holman followed Rudick with a double, securing runs for Brooke Stefankiewicz, Kylie Stephens, and Kamryn Miller to push the lead to 7-1. Still pouring it on, Maddie Grace Hubbard tripled to deep left field, bringing home Holman to end the frame with the Hawks ahead 8-1. After holding the Blazers scoreless in the fourth inning, Allie Roberts would take over in the circle for Brooke Cooper, striking out a Blazer to end the frame with the Hawks holding on to their 8-1 lead. Over the course of the rest of the game, Roberts stifled the Blazer offense, only allowing one base hit in the final 3 innings to give the Hawks an 8-1 victory over Belhaven

In the circle

• Brooke Cooper earned her sixth win on the season, allowing 1 run on 3 hits with one strikeout.
• Allie Roberts relieved Cooper in the fifth inning, striking out 3 batters and not allowing any runs with only 1 hit given up.

Hawk Top Performers

• Riley Rudick- 2/4 at the plate with a double, home run, 1 run and 4 RBI's.
• Jordan Holman- 2/4 at the plate with a double, 2 runs, and 3 RBI's.

The Hawks look to continue their strong start to conference play on April 6th in a double-header on the road at Covenant. Games are scheduled for 1:00 and 3:00 PM CT.