HAMMOND, La. – HBU softball rallied from a 4-2 deficit to defeat Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 9-4, Friday on the opening day of the Lion Classic II, hosted by Southeastern Louisiana.
Melissa Herman went a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with two RBIs and a run scored to lead HBU (1-6).
Libby Brown went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a pair of runs.
Shay Orsak,
Alyssa Burnett, and
Michaela Granchelli also had two-hit games.
Emily Mueller started in the circle and allowed three hits and four runs in 1.2 innings with two walks and four strikeouts.
Laci Belovsky earned the win in the relief appearance, as she gave up just one hit and two walks while striking out five in 5.1 innings.
Moni Nikolao had the big hit for UAPB (0-7), as she went 1-for-4 with four RBIs and a run scored. The rest of the offense went a combined 3-for-21. Makalay Hunter went the distance in the circle and allowed 12 hits, nine runs (four earned), and three walks with five strikeouts.
HBU took a 2-0 lead with single runs in the first and second before the Lady Lions went ahead 4-2 with a grand slam by Nikolao in the bottom of the second.
HBU tied the game in the top of the third, as Burnett singled to left, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and scored on an RBI single by Brown.
Kay Schroeder's RBI single brought home Brown to tie the game at 4-all.
The game remained tied until the top of the fifth when the Huskies put a three-spot to take a 7-4 lead. With two runners on, Schroeder reached on base by a throwing error, allowing both base runners to score and Schroeder to cross home all the way from first for a three-run play.
RBI hits by Burnett and Herman in the top of the sixth gave the Huskies a 9-4 advantage.
HBU plays twice Saturday on day two of the tournament: against Southern Miss at 10 am and Southeastern Louisiana at 4 pm.
