Hawks Softball Falls To Emory In Regional Championship

MONTGOMERY, Ala.- Being selected as the #1 seed in their own regional and winning back-to-back contests to qualify for the regional championship, Huntingdon Softball met the Emory University Eagles, the #3 seed, with a chance to advance to the 2025 NCAA DIII Softball Super-Regional Round.

Needing just one win to advance in the rain-filled final day, the Hawks ultimately couldn't find a way, dropping game one 5-4 before being eliminated with a 4-3 loss in game two. 

How it happened

Game One

The Eagles struck first in the opening frame of the contest, brining in one run off a RBI single to stake the early advantage. The momentum quickly gravitated back to Huntingdon's dugout in the following frame however, as the Hawks first baseman drilled a double into left field, scoring Jordan Holman and Maddie Grace Hubbard to put Huntingdon in front 2-1. Shortly after, Mandy Cannon was walked with the bases loaded, securing a run for Dinkel as the Hawks led 3-1 entering the second inning. Catcher Miranda Treadway followed up with a RBI single in the second, scoring Hubbard again to push the advantage to 4-1.

Freshman pitcher Addison Gaines drew the start in the circle for Huntingdon, and asides from Emory's run in the first inning, she kept the Eagles quiet at the plate. Striking out three while allowing just two hits through the first four innings, her efforts kept the Hawks in front for the majority of the game. Emory found life late however, scoring one run in the fifth and three in the seventh to take a 5-4 win, forcing a second game to determine the regional champion.

Game Two

Similar to the start of game one, Emory drew blood to open things with a run off a Huntingdon error in the first to claim the lead. The Hawks managed to even things up in the third inning, as shortstop Jordan Holman singled through the middle of the field, bringing home Kamryn Miller and bringing the score to 1-1. 

After Huntingdon tied things up, the Eagles reclaimed the lead in the fourth, scoring three runs on a triple to stake a 4-1 lead with three innings to go. The Hawks rallied late in the seventh, as Maddie Grace Hubbard and Jordan Holman brought in two runs, but ultimately, the Hawks couldn't complete the comeback, falling 4-3.

Madisyn Fruge started in the circle for the Hawks and fell to 7-4 on the season, allowing 4 runs on 6 hits through 3.1 innings. Allie Roberts relieved Fruge in the fourth and closed things out for Huntingdon, keeping Emory without a hit or a run.

This pair of losses has brought the Hawks season to a close. Huntingdon Softball followed up on their 33-8 season last year with a 38-7 record, winning the regular season Collegiate Conference of the South title and earning the right to host both the conference and regional tournament for the second consecutive season.