The second-ranked Sweet Home softball team launched its season in a big way, shutting out ninth-ranked Banks 2-0 in a pitchers duel at home Friday afternoon.
“That was a big win for our program,” said Coach Karyn Hartsook. “Savannah Hutchins did an outstanding job in the circle, got her work done.”
Hutchins struck out seven on the way to the win, while Kaylin Hernandez struck out four Huskies. Hutchins gave up three walks and one hit. Hernandez gave up two walks, four hits and two earned runs.
“Her (Hernandez) speed along with some of her pitches definitely got us,” Hartsook said, but the Huskies also had some first-game jitters facing a team that beat them 13-1 a year ago.
Neither team could get much going on offense in the first four innings. The Huskies managed to get two batters on base when Marissa Kurtz doubled on a line drive to center field and Jasmine Carter walked. Kurtz stole third before the third out.
Carter walked again to start off the bottom of the fifth inning. Emily Brown laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance Carter to second. Sunhee bitter singled on a line drive to left field to score Carter and give the Huskies a 1-0 lead.
The Braves lined into a double play with Hutchins catching the ball and throwing out a Banks runner at third base for a third out in the top of the sixth.
In the bottom of the sixth, with one out, Hutchins tripled on a line drive to right field. Kurtz sacced herself to score Hutchins.
With two outs and one runner at first base on a walk, Kurtz came up with a rolling catch on a pop up by Kaylin Storms to win the game.
“Our goal is to catch everything in the outfield,” Hartsook said, and assistant coach Ashley Cota has been working hard with the outfielders on making catches like that.
“Kurtz came a long way (for that catch),” Hartsook said. “It’s a testament to her athletic ability and her desire to win. That’s senior leadership at its finest.
“I am so proud of the girls to continue to compete through the entire game. It’s enjoyable to watch them be composed when they compete.”
In addition to big hits by Kurtz and Hutchins, Graci Zanona and Sunhee Bitter each had a single, with RBIs by Kurtz and Bitter. Carter walked twice.
Emma White hit a double to lead Banks at bat.
The Huskies were scheduled to begin league play at Woodburn Monday evening. They will host Philomath at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20 and Stayton at 4:30 p.m. Thursday. They will travel to Ridgeview Tuesday.
The JV lost a competitive game 8-7 versus Banks at home.
Maddie Harris went the distance for the Huskies, retiring five batters in the contest. Harris, Katie Kurtz, Adaira Burger and Chloe Fairchild each had multiple-base hits.
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