Hawks top GTRA in softball opener
Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn got the softball season of to a swinging start with a 10-7 win over Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire. HMS twice came from behind before holding off the Titans in the game played May 22 at Hartley.
Gracie Knobloch pitched a complete game six-hitter. She recorded eight strikouts and an equal number of walks. All seven of the GTRA runs were earned.
“We had a great opener last night,” remarked Hawk head coach Stephanie Bronstad. “Gracie did a nice job throwing pitches on the mound and our bats came alive like we hoped. We had a few errors that we need to clean up but overall I was very happy with the game. We are looking forward to some more wins this week!”
HMS totaled 10 hits. Knobloch went 4-for-4 at the plate with a double, three RBI’s and three runs scored. Delaney Murphy was 3-for-3 and also scored three times. Kinsey Schirmer singled and scored in the five-run fifth. Alexis Grover had a base hit in that inning as well. Eliza Tewes singled home a run in the sixth. She had driven in a run in the fifth with a groundout to short.
GTRA scored a run in the first but the Hawks answered with two in the second. The Titans scored a pair of runs in the third to move back in front 3-2. That remained the score until the botton of the fifth when HMS sent 10 batters to the plate and scored five runs. The Hawks tacked on three more in the sixth to lead 10-3. GTRA posted four runs in the seventh on three hits and two walks before HMS slammed the door.
Each team committed three errors in the game. Runners left on base showed the Titans with seven and HMS with six.
GTRA 1 0 2 0 0 0 4 – 7
HMS 0 2 0 0 5 3 x – 10