Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn was in good shape, holding a one-run lead over MMCRU after 5-1/2 innings May 26 at Remsen. Then the roof fell in. The Royals scored nine runs, seven of them unearned, in the bottom of the sixth and went on to down HMS 12-6 May 26 at Remsen. The game was the first of the season for the Hawks.
“The girls came out ready to compete against MMCRU,” noted HMS head coach Stephanie Bronstad. “They hit the ball and were aggressive on the bases. We moved a few girls to some new positions and they are getting used to those. MMCRU hit the ball well, had some good hits to the outfield and have some quick runners. We had a few errors and got a little flustered with a few plays but battled to the end. I’m proud of the girls and how they played. We will make a few position changes and just need to find the right fit.”
The Hawks jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning. Taya Mason walked and Darby Mastbergen drove her home with a triple. Masbergen then swiped home plate for good measure. In the second inning it was Elle Mastbergen’s turn as she slugged a solo home run.
HMS took the lead in the sixth as Bailey VerHelst walked, Elle Mastbergen singled and Abby Kunzman stroked a run-scoring double. The Hawks effort to get back into the game in the seventh featured three consecutive base hits. Gracie Knobloch singled and Mason’s base rap moved her to second. Knobloch scored on Darby Mastbergen’s single. The runners advanced on Eliza Tewes’ ground ball to short and Mason came home on VerHelst’s comebacker to the pitcher. The Royals then ended the game with a strikeout. Tewes had singled earlier in the contest as HMS totaled eight hits. The Hawks left seven runners on base and MMCRU stranded 10.
Mason pitched all six innings. She gave up 13 hits but only three of the 12 Royal runs were earned. Mason struck out three batters and walked three. She also hit a batter. HMS committed a total of six errors.
HMS 2 1 0 0 0 1 2 – 6
MMCRU 0 2 0 1 0 9 x – 12