HIGHLAND, Kan. – The Hesston College softball team fell in a pair of games to Highland Community College on Thursday (April 10). The Larks produced solid offensive numbers in both contests, but were unable to stop the Scotties on the defensive side as they suffered two run-rule losses. The Larks will continue KJCCC play on Saturday (April 12) as they take on Labette Community College starting at 2 p.m.
Game 1 – Hesston College 5, Highland CC 14
The Larks jumped out to an early lead in the series opener with a pair of runs in the first frame. Two Highland fielding errors put runners in scoring position for Hesston before Carly Lee came in to score on a sacrifice fly by Alysha Kendrick. Julie Jones followed that with an RBI double to center field. The Scotties responded with six runs in the home half including a two-run home run. Highland added five more runs in the following inning. Hesston responded in the third scoring on a fielder's choice, an RBI single by Macy Bullard and an RBI double from Anna Mcintire. Highland responded with two more runs in the bottom of the inning to finish up the scoring, taking the game 14-5.
Bullard and Kendrick each went 2-for-3 in the contest.
April Galicia took the loss for Hesston allowing eight runs (four earned) on seven hits in one inning of work.
Game 2 – Hesston College 11, Highland CC 19
The Scotties got on the board first in the second game with four runs in the bottom of the first. The Larks fought back with a three-run second inning, scoring one on a fielding error and two more on an RBI single from Kendrick. Highland responded with six runs in the home half and added two more in the third to go up 12-3. The Lark bats came alive in the fourth as Emery Martinez drove in two runs on an RBI single. The Larks loaded the bases with another base hit and a walk before Mcintire smoked a grand slam over the wall in left center field to cut the deficit to three. Highland scratched across another run in the following half inning, but the Larks battled back with a two-run shot by Lee to make the score 13-11. The Scotties manufactured a six-run rally in the bottom of the inning to walk it off in five innings, 19-11.
Mcintire went 3-for-3 in the game with a home run and two doubles. Lee went 4-for-4 with a home run and crossed the plate three times. Martinez, Kendrick and Dayzi Mann also recorded multi-hit games.
Julia Moore took the loss for Hesston going 1.1 frames and allowing eight runs on six hits and two walks. Dusti Roberts tossed the majority of the game going 2.2 innings and allowing 10 runs (seven earned) on 10 hits and three walks.
