Huntingdon hands No. 21 Averett first loss of the season

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Huntingdon softball team earned a split with 21st-ranked Averett University on Sunday and handed the previously unbeaten Cougars their first loss of the season.

The Cougars (25-1-1, 15-1 USA South) pushed their winning streak to 22 games with a 12-1 win in five innings in Game 1. The Lady Hawks (13-11, 8-6 USA South) snapped the winning streak with a 3-2 win in Game 2.

Tied 2-2 in the bottom of the seventh inning in Game 2, Huntingdon left fielder Ashley Johnson drew a walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by shortstop Gabby Alcantar. First baseman Heather McGuirk drove in Johnson with a single to right field to end the game.

McGuirk and third baseman Tiffany Taylor each finished the second game with two hits. Taylor drove in Huntingdon's first run with a double that scored Lindsey Selph in the sixth inning. Taylor then scored on a Blake Rowland double to tie the game 2-2 in the sixth.

Selph (4-3) picked up the win. The freshman struck out one, walked one, scattered eight hits and allowed two runs in seven innings.

In Game 1, McGuirk scored Huntingdon's lone run on a sacrifice bunt by Anna Stephens. Alcantar accounted for two of Huntingdon's four hits. Katy Messick (7-5) took the loss in Game 1.

Huntingdon returns to action at home on Friday. The Lady Hawks host Covenant in a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.