Hawks Fall To Belhaven Before Responding With Shutout Victory Over Maryville To Advance To The CCS Championship

MONTGOMERY, Ala.- After defeating the Piedmont University Lions yesterday to advance to the conference semi-finals, #9 ranked Huntingdon Softball returned to Cannon Field this morning, looking to earn a bid to the CCS title game. 

The #1 seeded Hawks opened up the day with a battle against the #2 seeded and #15 ranked Belhaven Blazers, and ultimately were defeated 2-1 in a defensive showdown. With their backs against the wall and facing elimination however, the Hawks responded with an emphatic 8-0 victory over Maryville in five innings to secure a rematch with Belhaven in the championship round.

Game One

In what proved to be a game dictated by both team's defensive efforts, Belhaven struck first in the opening frame, sending a single shot homer over the fence to grab the early advantage. The Blazers lead would grow to 2-0 in the fourth inning, as a single secured their second run of the day. 

Through the first three innings, the Hawks struggled to get anything going at the plate, recording just one hit in the early stages of the game. Huntingdon's lone run would come in the bottom frame of the fourth, with a throwing error making way for Lauren Watts to cross home plate, bringing the Hawks with one, 2-1. Throughout the remainder of the game however, the Hawks were held to just one hit, resulting in a 2-1 loss to the #2 seed. 

Madisyn Fruge fell to 7-2 on the season with her start today. Through 3 innings, she allowed just one run on four hits, striking out one Blazer as well. CCS Rookie Pitcher of the Year Addison Gaines pitched the remaining four innings, surrendering three hits and one run with three strikeouts. 

Game Two

Contrary to the start of game one, the Hawks were hot at the plate in the first inning, putting two runs on the board. Kylie Stephens got things going with a RBI single to left field, securing a run for Miranda Treadway. Dani Holt followed up at the next at-bat with a single through the right side, bringing home Kate Dinkel as Huntingdon took the early advantage.

After quiet third and fourth innings offensively, the Hawks extended their lead to 5-0 with three runs in the fourth inning. Jordan Holman's single to left field kicked things off, bringing Kamryn Miller home to increase the lead to 3-0 before Miranda Treadway drilled a two-RBI single through the left side, scoring both Holman and Maddie Grace Hubbard as Huntingdon widened the gap between the two teams.

Closing the game in five innings, the Hawks tacked on three more unanswered runs in the fifth inning to bring the final score to 8-0. With two outs on the board, Hubbard found room up the middle, driving a single through to score Mandy Cannon and Lauren Watts, raising the lead to 7-0. Holman then returned the favor to Hubbard at the following at-bat, picking up her second RBI of the day to secure Huntingdon's spot in the championship round.

CCS Pitcher of the Year Allie Roberts pitched all five innings for the Hawks as she secured her 20th win on the season. She allowed just two hits for the Scots, striking out one to keep Huntingdon in control.

With their victory over Maryville, the Hawks will face Belhaven in the championship round of the CCS tournament. The first game is set for tomorrow, May 3rd, at 12:00 PM. A Huntingdon win would force a second game to determine the title at 3:00, but the Blazers can secure the title with a victory in game one.