COLUMBUS, Ga.- Returning to action in Columbus following their 2-0 start to the NFCA Leadoff Classic a day ago, #14 Huntingdon Softball defeated Saint Benedict 8-4 before suffering their second loss of the season at the hands of the Pfeiffer University Falcons, 1-0. 

Game One v. Saint Benedict

Huntingdon used a strong middle-inning surge and dominant relief pitching to secure the game one victory.

The Hawks struck first in the second inning when Kylie Stephens lined a two-run single up the middle to score Maddie Grace Hubbard and Payton Gilchrist, giving Huntingdon a 2–0 lead.

Saint Benedict responded in the third with a three-run triple and an additional run that crossed on an error to move ahead 4–2. Huntingdon answered quickly in the bottom half when Katie Burch singled to left to bring home Kaylin Fincher, trimming the deficit to one.

The Hawks took control in the fourth. Kate Dinkel drove in the tying run on a fielder's choice before Fincher delivered an RBI single to give Huntingdon the lead. Taylor Au followed with an RBI groundout to extend the advantage to 6–4.

Huntingdon added insurance in the fifth as Stephens struck again with a two-run single, pushing the lead to 8–4.

Stephens finished 2-for-2 with four RBIs, while Fincher went 3-for-4 with an RBI. Hubbard scored three runs and added two hits, and Kamryn Miller recorded two hits as part of an 11-hit outing for the Hawks.

In the circle, Allie Roberts earned the win with a dominant relief performance, tossing four scoreless innings with seven strikeouts while allowing just two hits. McKenzie Little started and worked the first three innings.

Game Two v. Pfeiffer

Game two turned into a pitching duel, with the lone run coming on a solo home run in the second inning.

Huntingdon collected seven hits but was unable to push a run across despite several scoring opportunities. Riley Rudick led the Hawks with a 2-for-3 performance, while Kamryn Miller, Kylie Stephens, Kate Dinkel, Taylor Au, and Katie Burch each added a hit.

Addison Gaines took the loss after allowing just one run on four hits over four innings. McKenzie Little followed with a strong relief outing, striking out four over two scoreless innings.

Despite the loss, the Hawks' pitching staff limited Pfeiffer to five hits in the narrow contest.

The Hawks close things out at the NFCA Leadoff Classic tomorrow, March 8th against #4 St. Mary's and Cortland. Games are set for 8:00 and 11:00 AM CT.