Hartley, Iowa — Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn defeated Trinity Christian 12-2 Tuesday night in Hartley. It was a play in game to set the Wednesday quarterfinals in Class 1A Region 1 softball.
The Hawks would put 3 on the board in the top of the 2nd inning. Tristan Haag would come into score after the first run of the game after an errant throw. Amanda Recker would be next to score when Mindy Bethke reached first on a bases loaded walk, and Pinch Hitter Brooke Seivert would drive in Ashley Heetland to make it 3-0 after the top of the 2nd.
Trinity would respond with 2 runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. Rochelle Kooiker would start the inning with a stand up double and would later come in to score on a error. Koralee Heynen would add the 2nd run of the inning after reaching on the error. Kalie Vink would put one into shallow left field to get the RBI, making it 3-2 in favor of HMS with two innings completed.
The Hawks would get back on the board with a five run 5th and jump to an 8-2 advantage. Haag would add to the Hawks’ total with a solo home run over the left field wall to push the score to 9-2 in the 6th, her third run of the game. Another run would come into score in the 6th, making it 10-2 HMS. The Hawks would add two more in the final inning and come away with the win 12-2
Kaylen Kuchel got the complete game win, giving up just 1 earned run on 4 hits, and 2 walks. Kuchel also struck out 9.
Koralee Heynen took the loss for Trinity Christian. She went 4 1/3 innings, giving up 5 earned runs on 5 hits and 4 walks, while striking out 5.
Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn improves to 12-13 on year, and heads to Ireton Wednesday night to face West Sioux in the Region 1 quarterfinals. Trinity ends their season at 3-17.
