Caleb Riordan | Ameritime Sports Writer
The Hillsboro Hawks went 1-1 on the first day of the Jackson tournament on Friday.
The Hawks played a bundle of games in a short amount of time. This can test even the most put together teams.
“We are learning what our team is capable of,” Lauren Nichols said.
Hillsboro’s day started well in its first game against Incarnate Word Academy.
Ellie Bartlett got the Hawks’ offense going early with an RBI-single that scored Alanah Dunphy in the first inning.
Incarnate was able to tie the game at one in the third inning on an RBI-single, but the Hawks broke the tie in the fifth when Hailey Genge hit a single that scored Ryleigh Hindle. Hillsboro led 2-1.
Hillsboro added to the lead in the sixth inning. The Hawks took advantage of Incarnate’s mistakes and scored twice on errors. Alex Wick and Sarah Stokes both scored to make the lead 4-1 and secure the Hawks’ victory.
Bartlett went 2-3 at the plate with one RBI. Genge, Elly Eckrich and Nicole Evans also recorded a hit. Genge also had an RBI.
Eckrich started the game for Hillsboro and went the distance. She threw 94 pitches through seven innings allowing five hits, one run while striking out seven.
The second game of the day against Cape Notre Dame did not go as well for Hillsboro.
The Hawks’ offense in this game was almost completely shut down. They did not score a run and were only able to manage two hits.
Hillsboro went down early and could never recover. Cape Notre Dame scored two runs in the first and four in the second to go up 6-0. They added one more run in the fifth for a convincing 7-0 victory.
A 1-1 day can exploit some strengths and weaknesses.
“I think for the most part our defense was pretty solid,” Nichols said. “We could improve on cheering for our teammates and being loud for one another.”
Genge and Dunphy were the only Hawks to record hits. Wick went the entire game in the circle for Hillsboro. She threw 103 pitches in six innings. She allowed 10 hits, seven runs and struck out two.
The Hawks will finish the Jackson tournament Saturday, Sep. 26 with games against Cape Central and Kelly.
