Softball splits with Maryville in USA South doubleheader

MARYVILLE, Tenn. – The Huntingdon softball team took Game 1 from Maryville but came up short in eight innings in Game 2 on Saturday.

The Lady Hawks won 2-1 in the first game before having a seven-game winning streak snapped 3-2 in the second game.

In the 2-1 victory, Huntingdon (10-10, 5-5 USA South) scored both runs in the first inning on three straight doubles. Heather McGuirk doubled and then scored on a double by Lindsey Selph. Selph scored to make it 2-0 on a double by Tiffany Taylor.

Winning pitcher Katy Messick (6-4) made the lead count. Messick struck out five, gave up six hits and allowed one run in seven innings. Selph was the only Huntingdon player with multiple hits, finishing 2-for-3 in Game 1.

In Game 2, Huntingdon took a 2-0 lead in the first four innings. Selph scored on a Brandi Blair ground out in the second inning and Jesse Dunn doubled to score Selph in the fourth inning.

Maryville (5-11, 4-6 USA South) hit a two-run home run to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh inning and ended the game with a RBI single in the bottom of the eighth.

Selph (2-3) took the loss in the final game. The freshman carried a one-hitter into the seventh inning and finished with seven strikeouts, two walks, five hits and three runs allowed.

Huntingdon returns to action at home on March 28 against Greensboro. Game 1 of the USA South doubleheader is set for 1 p.m.