Hawks Softball Sweeps The Firehouse Invitational

MONTGOMERY, Ala.- Looking to build off of their two wins to open the Firehouse Classic, Huntingdon softball returned to Cannon Field for another double-header against Greensboro and Centre. The Hawks finished the day with a perfect 2-0 record, defeating the Pride of Greensboro 14-2 in five innings to get things going before finishing the tournament with a 10-2 victory over Centre in six innings.

Game One

Similar to yesterday's first game, Huntingdon's defense set the tone early on courtesy of 3 strikeouts from Allie Roberts. The Hawks' first run of the game came shortly after, as Maddie Grace Hubbard made the most of a sacrifice bunt from Katie Burch and a Greensboro error, advancing from first base to home plate to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead entering the second inning. Two more strikeouts from Roberts put the Hawks into position to extend their lead, and that they did, with Hubbard bringing home Amya Wommack to bring the score to 2-0. Another error from the Pride at the following at-bat allowed for Kylie Stephens to cross home plate, bringing Huntingdon's lead to 3-0 as the third inning got underway.

As Roberts continued to dominate on the mound, the Hawks continued to pour it on, scoring five runs in the 3rd inning. Elli Lorance laid down a bunt to bring home Lauren Watts to start the run, bringing the Huntingdon lead to 4-0. Shortly after, Kate Dinkel returned the favor to Lorance, striking a double to right center to extend the lead to 5-0. Two more Greensboro errors brought in Stephens and Kamryn Miller to close the inning with Huntingdon in front, 8-0. 

Jordan Holman opened the fourth inning with a single-shot homer to bring the lead to 9-0 at the first at-bat. Kylie Stephens then followed Holman with an RBI single, allowing Miranda Treadway to score and establish the Hawks double-digit lead, 10-0. Riley Rudick, Stephens, Hubbard, and Burch each followed with runs of their own to bring the lead to 14-0 in the fifth inning. The Pride finally got on the board in the top of the 5th, recording 3 hits and 2 runs, but it was too late, as Huntingdon claimed victory 14-2.

Allie Roberts kept the Pride off the board and without a hit through the first 4 innings before the 3 hit, 2 run swing for Greensboro. McKenzie Little closed things with a strikeout to bring the Hawks to 3-0 on the year.

Game Two

Taking on the Colonels of Centre College for the final game of the tournament, the Hawks fell behind early, taking a 2-0 deficit into the bottom frame of the first inning. Jordan Holman responded with an RBI to bring home Maddie Grace Hubbard, but the Hawks still trailed 2-1 as the second inning got underway.

Pitcher Addison Gaines drew the start for Huntingdon, and after allowing the two early runs, she gained complete control on the mound. Putting the Colonels away in four at-bats to start the second inning. Kamryn Miller took advantage of Huntingdon's defensive success with a bunt to bring home Elli Lorance, tying things at 2. Miller then found her way home shortly after on a Centre error to give the Hawks a 3-2 lead heading into the third inning.

The Hawks put in three runs in the third inning to extend their lead to 6-2 early. Amya Wommack got things going with a run on a passed ball before an error let Kate Dinkel and Lorance cross home plate. Miranda Treadway scored the Hawks lone run of the fourth inning, advancing from second base following Mandy Cannon's double to raise the Huntingdon lead to 7-2. 

Neither team found home plate during the fifth inning, but after forcing three outs in as many batters, the Hawks were in prime position to take victory in six innings. Treadway scored on a passed ball to bring the lead to 8-2 before Dani Holt's sacrifice groundout brought home Rudick to make the score 9-2. Lauren Watts found home off a single from Hubbard to finish things off, moving Huntingdon to 4-0 on opening weekend with a 10-2 win in six innings.

Addison Gaines finished the game with 8 strikeouts, 5 hits and 2 allowed runs in her first collegiate start.

The Hawks return to action at home on February 22nd, hosting Rhodes and Mt. St. Joseph in a double-header. The first pitch against Mt. St. Joseph is scheduled for 12:00 PM CT.