GULF SHORES, Ala. – The HBU softball team opened up the 2016 season in dramatic fashion, scoring two runs in the top of the seventh inning and holding on for a 3-1 edge of Jackson State in the Sand Dollar Classic at Gulf Shores Sportsplex on Friday afternoon.
With one out and runners on first and second base, sophomore first baseman
Libby Brown delivered what later proved to be the game-winning RBI with a single to left field, before a throwing error on the same play allowed the Huskies (1-0) to plate one more run.
Brown led HBU at the plate, turning in a 2-for-3 performance with two singles, one walk and a RBI. Freshman shortstop
Savana Guidry and senior third baseman
Shay Orsak each recorded 2-for-4 showings with a run scored against the Lady Tigers (0-1).
Senior pitcher
Laci Belovsky (1-0) went the distance in picking up her first win of the season. The native of Conroe, Texas, surrendered just one unearned run, scattering eight hits and fanning three across 30 batters faced in tossing her 12th career complete game in the circle. Belovsky also went 1-for-3 at the plate with a single and run scored.
JSU struck first, capitalizing on leadoff error and single to left field in the opening frame to score their lone run on a grounder in the infield two batters later.
The Huskies answered back with one run in the fourth inning on an RBI sacrifice fly from senior catcher
Caitlin Gunn. Belovsky safely bunted her way aboard to open the frame, before advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt from junior right fielder
Cecilia Bauer and stealing third.
Tied 1-1, both pitchers then traded scoreless frames across the fifth and sixth innings, before HBU scored two runs in the top of the seventh.
With the lead in hand, Belovsky worked around a leadoff single in the bottom of the seventh, inducing three consecutive ground balls in the infield to seal the victory.
The Huskies will continue the Sand Dollar Classic with a pair of games on Saturday. HBU will face Samford in a 3 p.m. first pitch, before taking on Southeast Missouri State at 6 p.m.
