Softball: Clutch Hits Elusive in Huskies Loss

Despite putting 14 runners into scoring position, the Flint Hill softball team tallied three runs in its loss to St. Johns College High School on Tuesday.

The Cadets opened scoring with two runs in the top of the first inning. Monica Brendsel cut the Huskies' two-run deficit in half with a solo homer in the third inning, but the Cadets answered with one run the next inning. 

Brittany deCamp hit an RBI single in the bottom of the fourth to score Emily Davine, who reached base on an error, to put the score at 4-2 entering the fifth inning. But again the Cadets answered, this time with two runs to put the Huskies down by three.

Shae Bouchard added the last run for the Huskies with a line drive single to score Brendsel, who started the inning with a triple. Brendsel fell a double short of hitting the cycle, going 3 for 3 on Tuesday.

The Cadets added two more runs to defeat the Huskies 6-3. 

This season, the Huskies been able to pull out wins in close games, but they struggled to put together a successful rally Tuesday.

"You can't keep putting yourself behind and expect to win every game," Coach Andy Krug said. "We made a good run at it today, but sometimes you get the calls, sometimes you don't."

Maggie Jardot started on the mound for the Huskies, striking out five, walking four and giving up three hits in four innings. Brendsel pitched in relief, striking out three, walking one and giving up four hits.

Krug said the Huskies' lackluster performance strayed from the norm, as the squad has been able to build a 5-3 record so far this season. 

"[Our pitching and defense] was not where it usually is, not as sharp as we've been. We gave them too many chances," Krug said.

The Huskies will host Highland on Friday for a 4:30 p.m. start.