MADEIRA BEACH, FLORIDA – The HBU Huskies dropped the Spring Games opener to the Middle Tennessee Lady Raiders 9-4 making the Huskies record (9-7) on the year.
 
In the bottom of the first inning the Lady Raiders had three runners on after a walk, followed by a single then a costly error that loaded the bases for Cushing to single in a run to give the Lady Raiders a 1-0 lead. The Lady Raiders took a commanding lead after the next batter Richetto hit a grand slam to left increasing their lead to 5-0
 
After scoreless second inning by both teams, the Huskies scored three runs on a Shelby Echols homerun that scored Avery Drake who reached on a double after an Amber Lotz walk, making the score 5-3.
 
In the bottom of the fourth the Lady Raiders added on to their lead starting off with a one out walk by McClure who then advanced to second with a Smith single through the left side. Burgess comes through driving in McClure from second while both runners advanced on the throw. A Hill groundout scored Smith from third extending their lead to 7-3.
 
Cushing homered to give the Lady Raiders an 8-3 lead. Later that inning, Richetto walked was pinch ran for by Heath who advanced to second by a Slatter single and later scored on a King groundout giving the Lady Raiders a 9-3 lead.
 
HBU would go on to score one run on back to back doubles by Katy Schaefer and Caitlyn Brockway decreasing the Lady Raider lead but was not enough to come back as the Huskies fall 9-4 in the Spring Games opening day.
 
Katy Schaefer (2-3) 2B, R
Shelby Echols (1-3) HR, R, 3 RBI, K
Caitlyn Brockway (1-3) 2B. RBI
Avery Drake (1-2) 2B, R, BB
 
Jessica Patak (L, 2-2) 0.0 IP, 3H, 5 R, 4 ER, BB
Lyndie Swanson 4.0 IP, 5H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, K
Elliott Estes 2.0 IP, 3H, 0 R, BB
 
HBU battles Sacred Heart (2-3) at 1:30 p.m. on Field 1 followed by a matchup against Florida Gulf Coast (12-5) at 4:30 on Field 1. The Huskies close out the tournament with one game on Sunday against the Seton Hall Pirates (4-9) at 9 a.m. on Field 3.
 
Game Information:
HBU Huskies (9-7) vs Sacred Heart (2-3)
Saturday, Feb 29 – 1:30 p.m.
Madeira Beach, Florida
Madeira Beach R.O.C. Softball Complex
Field 1
 
HBU Huskies (9-7) vs Florida Gulf Coast (12-5)
Saturday, Feb 29 – 4 p.m.
Madeira Beach, Florida
Madeira Beach R.O.C. Softball Complex
Field 1