Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SOUTH WHITLEY – Eight runs scored over the first two innings were more than enough for the Huntington North softball team, as the group picked up its first win of the season on Thursday night, defeating Whitko 17-2 in five innings.
The Lady ‘Cats are still searching for their first win of the season, falling to 0-4 this season, having been run-ruled in every game.
Whitko starter Emma Gavin got into a bit of trouble to begin the game, and was unable to escape hitting the Huntington North leadoff hitter, Addi Richardson, without giving up some damage. Gavin was able to retire the next two hitters after putting Richardson on, but a double hit by Kendal DeHaven was enough to put the Lady Vikings up 1-0 after a half inning of play. In the bottom half of the frame, the top half of the Lady ‘Cat lineup was retired in order.
The second inning featured more command issues from Whitko pitching, and Huntington North was able to take full advantage. Walks to the eight and nine hitters flipped the line up over for Richardson, who tripled to bring two more runs home. She’d go on to score on a wild pitch not long afterwards. After a couple more free passes, DeHaven came back up and hit her second double in as many innings to drive home two more.
Gavin was eventually replaced by freshman Lily Irons, who was able to get the final two outs of the inning, but not before two more runs came around to score. The end result of the second inning was seven runs on four hits for the Lady Vikings, giving the visitors a commanding 8-0 lead after just two plate appearances.
The Lady ‘Cats were able to get two of those runs back in the bottom of the second. Reagan Klepinger began the frame with the team’s first hit of the day, and then advanced to second on a bunt by Meredith Hindbaugh, who also made it to first on the play due to a poor throw. The next two hitters were retired, and it looked as if the rally was going to go by the wayside, but a poor throw on a ground ball hit by Breawynn Neer turned into a pair of errors by the Lady Viking infield, resulting in both base runners coming across. Whitko still had some work to do, but now trailed 8-2.
Momentum remained on the side of the home team, as Irons retired the side in order the next time Huntington North took the plate. They were unable to capitalize on this at the plate however, as Lady Viking starter Chey Catellier did the same in the bottom half of the third.
The Lady Vikings took a methodical approach to the plate in the top of the fourth and it paid off for them. Using a pair of hits, an error and a walk, Huntington North was able to plate two runs in the inning to go back up by eight at 10-2. This time, Whitko was unable to muster up a response, as Catellier retired the side for the second straight inning, giving her seven straight retired hitters overall.
A two-RBI single by Macy Arnold in the top of the fifth extended the visitors’ lead to 10, meaning the Lady ‘Cats would have some work to do in the bottom half of the frame if they wanted this one to continue on to the sixth. However, the Lady Vikings did not stop there. For the second time in the game, Huntington North batted around the order and put a big crooked number up on the board. Heading into the bottom of the fifth, Whitko now trailed 17-2, needing six runs to keep the contest going.
The home side got a pinch hit from Aliana Westness, but that was the extent of the Lady ‘Cat offense. The side was retired, and Whitko ended the contest still searching for its first win of the season.
