Hawks Claim Walk-Off Victory Over St. John Fisher Before Falling To Redlands

COLUMBUS, Ga.- Wrapping up the final day of the NFCA Leadoff Classic, #25 Huntingdon softball looked to avenge their 8-3 loss to #1 ETBU yesterday afternoon.

The Hawks led off today with an 8-6 victory over St. John Fisher, with sophomore outfielder Kylie Stephens drilling a two-run homer to walk it off. Unfortunately however, Huntingdon couldn't maintain their momentum, falling to Redlands 9-5 to bring the tournament to a close.

Game one v. St. John Fisher

The Cardinals came out swinging, hitting a two-run homerun over the fence in the top frame of the first inning to claim an early 2-0 advantage. A scoreless second inning for both teams proved to be in favor of the Hawks, as Kamryn Miller laid down a sacrifice bunt to score Kate Dinkel and cut the St. John Fisher lead to 2-1 heading into the fourth inning. Miranda Treadway followed up with her tth home run of the season in the bottom of the fourth, scoring Jordan Holman to give the Hawks a 3-2 lead.

St. John Fisher answered Treadway's home run with a 4-run frame in the fifth inning to reclaim the lead 6-3, holding onto it until the 6th inning. Holman got things going in the bottom of the 6th with a two-run homerun to bring home Maddie Grace Hubbard and cut the Cardinals lead to 6-5. Treadway hit her second home run of the game at the next at bat to even things at 6 heading into the 7th inning.

Madisyn Fruge stepped up to the challenge in the top frame of the 7th inning, recording three outs in four batters to give Huntingdon an opportunity to claim a walk-off victory. Kate Dinkel got hit by a pitch to get on base before advancing to second on a sacrifice from Katie Burch. In the 9th spot in the lineup, Kylie Stephens pinch hit for Kamryn Miller, drilling a two-run shot over the fence to give Huntingdon th 8-6 win.

Allie Roberts drew the start for the Hawks, allowing 6 runs on 5 hits while throwing 5 strikeouts in 5 innings. Madisyn Fruge picked up her first win in a Huntingdon uniform, taking to the circle in the 6th inning and limiting the Cardinals to just two base hits.

Game two v. Redlands

After the first inning saw no runs for either squad, Huntingdon broke the ice in the top frame of the second inning, as Kate Dinkel's single scored Amya Wommack to put Huntingdon in front 1-0 heading into the third inning. Jordan Holman knocked her second home run of the afternoon over the fence in the third to extend the Huntingdon advantage to 2-1 as the fourth inning got underway.

Three runs for Redlands in the fourth inning turned the tide for the Bulldogs, as they went on to score 8 unanswered runs through the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings to carry a 9-2 lead into the final inning.

The Hawks fought in their final frame, with Maddie Grace Hubbard hitting a double through the left side to score Kate Dinkel, cutting the deficit to 9-3 before Jordan Holman's second homer of the afternoon brought the final score to 9-5.

Addison Gaines started in the circle for Huntingdon and picked up her first loss on the season, allowing 4 runs on 5 hits through 3.2 innings. Allie Roberts relieved Gaines before Madisyn Fruge closed for the Hawks.

Hawks Softball returns to action at home on Wednesday, March 5th, as they host Wartburg in a double-header. Games are scheduled for 3:00 and 5:00 PM CT.