Better hitting sparks softball win

A better night at the plate supported by good pitching and defense was a successful formula for Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn's softball team, which defeated Trinity Christian, 11-5, on June 24 at Hull.

Among the Hawks' 12 hits were a triple and two singles by Brynn Webber; a double and two singles by Hannah Jochims; and a double and a single by Bailey VerHelst. Cadence Klein, VerHelst and Webber each drove in two runs.

"It was a nice win for the girls," Hawk coach Carissa Post said. "Offensively we did a much better job with our bats."

VerHelst's two-run double in the first inning put the Hawks in front. They added a run in the second when Jochims doubled home Jessica Riedemann.

H-M-S sent 11 batters to the plate in a five-run fourth inning. Singles by Taya Mason and Klein, a sacrifice fly by Riedemann and a bases-loaded walk by Trey Haag each drove in a run.

The Hawks added a run in the fifth on a groundout by Klein and scored the final run in the seventh on Webber's third hit of the game.

Trinity Christian scored once in the first inning, twice in the fourth and one run in the sixth.

Haag was the winning pitcher. She allowed five hits, walked one and struck out four. H-M-S committed two defensive errors.

• vs. Unity Christian

A late comeback by H-M-S fell short against Unity Christian, as the Knights scored six runs in the eighth inning to earn an 11-5 win on June 22 in Hartley.

H-M-S was trailing 5-2 in the fifth inning when Hannah Jochims singled and scored on a single by Taya Mason. An error in the sixth inning and a passed ball in the seventh allowed H-M-S to tie the score.

But the tide quickly turned as Unity Christian regained the momentum in the eighth.

"It was a tough loss," Post said. "Unity Christian came out blazing with their bats and we just could not answer them this time."

The Knights were leading 2-0 in the fourth when Mason tripled and scored on an infield hit by Cadence Klein. Klein scored the tying run on a passed ball. Unity Christian scored three runs in the fifth inning to retake the lead.

Mason contributed three hits; Trey Haag and Jochims each had two; and Jasmine Lux hit a double.

Mason was charged with the pitching loss. She allowed six runs and five hits in three innings, walked two and struck out four. Haag was the starting pitcher and also finished the game. She gave up five hits and five runs, walked four and struck out two.

• vs. Akron-Westfield

Anytime there were chances to take advantage of H-M-S mistakes, Akron-Westfield made the most of them to claim a 14-1 win on June 25 in Hartley.

The Westerners (1A No. 8) used those opportunities along with several big hits to score two runs in the first inning, nine in the second and three in the third.

"It was a reminder to us of just how good Akron-Westfield is," Post said.

H-M-S's run scored in the first inning when Hannah Jochims hit a triple and scored on a sacrifice fly by Jessica Riedemann. The next eight Hawk batters were retired in order.

Mason was the losing pitcher. She allowed four hits, walked one and struck out three. Brynn Webber finished the game and gave up three hits and two walks. The Hawks were charged with four errors.

H-M-S (2-4, 2-4) wraps up the regular season on July 6 against Remsen St. Mary's in Hartley and MMCRU at Remsen on July 8.