HUNTINGTON, Ind. – Extreme winds and a powerful offense from the sixth-ranked Knights proved too much for the Forester softball team Friday afternoon as Huntington dropped a pair of games, 12-6 and 21-9, to #6 Marian at Forester Field.
With the losses, HU moves to 10-6 overall and 2-2 in Crossroads League play, while the Knights improve to 11-2 overall and 3-1 in conference action.
Game 1 – Marian 12, Huntington 6
The opener was heavily influenced by strong winds gusting up to 55 mph, creating challenging defensive conditions that at times turned the field into a dust storm.
Marian capitalized early, erupting for six runs in the second inning highlighted by a three-run homer by Abbey Hofmann that sparked the Knights' big frame.
Huntington answered in the bottom of the inning when Kailee Bishop ripped an RBI double to right center, plating Khloee Gregory to get the Foresters on the board.
After Marian pushed the lead to 7-1 in the third, the Foresters began to chip away in the fourth. Kalyn Greene ignited the rally with a towering solo homer, after which Carli Tharp doubled to score Bishop and Makinzie Kline added an RBI single, trimming the deficit to 7-4.
The Knights tacked on another run in the fifth, but Huntington responded again in the home half when pinch hitter Akasha Burton delivered a two-run single to center, cutting Marian's advantage to 8-6.
Unfortunately for HU, the Knights put the game away late, plating four runs in the seventh to seal the 12-6 decision.
Despite the loss, Huntington totaled nine hits in the contest. Gregory finished 2-for-4 with two doubles, while Bishop went 2-for-3 with a double and RBI. Greene's homer highlighted the Foresters' power, while Kline and Tharp each added an RBI.
In the circle, Kinzie Mollenkopf took the loss after tossing 2.1 innings before Bethany Haselby finished the game.
Game 2 – Marian 21, Huntington 9 (5 innings)
The nightcap began with promise for the Foresters.
After Marian grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first, Huntington answered with three runs in the bottom of the inning. Kalyn Greene lifted a sacrifice fly to tie the game before Akasha Burton roped a two-run double into left, giving HU a 3-1 advantage.
Marian reclaimed the lead in the second after scoring three runs and never looked back. The Knights scored in every inning, including five runs in both the third and fourth before erupting for seven runs in the fifth to trigger the run rule.
Despite the lopsided score, Huntington's offense continued to battle.
Khloee Gregory delivered the Foresters' biggest blow of the game, blasting a three-run homer in the fourth as part of a five-run inning. Bishop also contributed with a sacrifice fly and an RBI double, while Greene collected two hits and an RBI and Burton finished with two RBI.
Huntington totaled eight hits and five walks in the game but struggled defensively in the difficult conditions, committing eight errors in the contest after three miscues in the opener.
Natalie Haselby was charged with the loss after starting in the circle.
Up Next
The Foresters will have little time to dwell on the setback as Coach Tim Averill's squad returns to action Saturday at Forester Field for a 1:00 p.m. matchup against Grace.
The Huntington University Foresters compete in 18 intercollegiate sports for men and women. In the past decade, Huntington has produced 181 NAIA All-America honors and 631 All-America Scholar Athlete honors. Huntington University is a comprehensive Christian college of the liberal arts offering graduate and undergraduate programs in more than 70 academic concentrations. Huntington has a top quartile ranking in the 2026 U.S. News Best Regional Universities Midwest Rankings.
