The Hamilton Heights softball team proved it could score in adverse weather conditions Thursday.
The Huskies played Frankton in a cold rain at Grand Park, with the Eagles taking a big lead after two innings. Heights nearly came all the way back before Frankton took control to beat the Huskies 20-9.
The Eagles led 10-0 going into the bottom of the second. Heights scored four runs in that inning: Isabella Neiling and Alayna Barbergot on base with singles, then Sydney Massicotte drew a walk to load the bases. Kat Cox singled in Neiling, then Bayleigh Runner’s walk got Baber home. Later, Hayley Greene scored Massicotte on a fielder’s choice, then Adyson Baber got Cox home with a base hit.
The Huskies were now within 10-4, and they added five runs in the third inning. After loading the bases again, Runner doubled into center field to score Alayna Baber and Massicotte. Cox had previously singled, and she advanced to third. Greene would later send Baber and Massicotte home with a three-run home run.
With that, Heights was within 10-9. But Frankton scored two runs in the top of the fourth, then poured in eight runs in the top of the fifth to end the game on the 10-run rule.
“We were down early and we battled back in tough elements to get within one run,” said Huskies coach Ken Olovich. The coach said in weather like this, it was tough to throw strikes, but he was happy with how his team fought back.
Adyson Baber and Cox both finished the game with two hits.
Heights is 1-1 for the season and will host Anderson on Friday.
Frankton 20, Hamilton Heights 9
(5 innings)
Heights AB R H RBI
Bayleigh Runner 2 1 1 3
Faith Hittle 1 0 1 0
Lia Williams 3 0 0 0
Hayley Greene 3 1 1 4
Adyson Baber 3 0 2 1
Meredith Diller 4 0 0 0
Isabella Neiling 2 1 1 0
Alayna Baber 2 2 1 0
Sydney Massicotte 0 2 0 0
Kat Cox 3 2 2 1
Totals 23 9 9 9
Score by innings
Frankton 460 28 – 20 12 0
Heights 045 00 – 9 9 7
HR: Greene. 2B: Runner. SB: Neiling, Runner, Al. Baber, Greene.
Heights pitching IP R ER H
Kelsie Albright 0.0 4 4 2
Ad. Baber 4.2 16 4 10
Al. Baber 0.1 0 0 0
Strikeouts: none. Walks: Ad. Baber 7, Albright 3, Al. Baber 1.
Hamilton Heights’ Hayley Greene hit a three-run home run for the Huskies during their Thursday game with Frankton, which took place at Grand Park. (Richie Hall)