Caleb Riordan | Ameritime Sports Writer
The Hillsboro Hawks Varsity Softball season is well underway. There are currently in the midst of a three-game winning streak and have an overall record of 9-3.
The last time we caught up with the Hawks they were 4-1 and coming off of a win against Windsor. Hillsboro dropped two of their next four games after beating the Owls. The first loss came against Parkway South immediately following their game vs Windsor. Hillsboro established a 3-0 lead but surrendered four runs late in the game and lost 4-3.
The Hawks won their next two games in convincing fashion. They exploded for 13 runs in their 13-1 win over Mehlville. Lauren Nichols, Kaylee Hilton, Bailey Scallet and Olivia Peters all had two RBIs in the game. They followed that up with an 8-0 win against Francis Howell North. Hailey Genge and Scallet each had two RBIs. Elly Eckrich started the game and pitched a gem. She threw all seven innings, struck out eight batters, and allowed only two hits.
Hillsboro dropped their third game of the season to Parkway West 4-0. This was the first time this season the Hawks have been shut out.
That brings us to their current three-game winning streak. They started it off with a 3-0 victory over Pattonville. Sara Stokes, Hilton and Genge all had an RBI in the game. Eckrich dominated once again in the circle. She struck out nine batters through seven innings and only allowed three hits.
The next win came against Festus. Hillsboro scored six runs in the first two innings and never looked back, as they wrapped up an 8-3 victory for their eighth win of the season. Cassidy Herget had a huge game at the plate. She was 2-4 with a double and five RBIs. Eckrich again found herself in the circle for the entirety of the game. She did surrender three runs but only one was earned. She gave up three hits and struck out a whopping 15 batters.
Their most recent win of the season came on Thursday against the Perryville Pirates. Hillsboro scored a run in the first, fourth and sixth innings. Those three runs were good enough to secure a 3-0 victory. Hilton was 2-3 with a double and two RBIs. You guessed it, it was Eckrich again in the circle for the Hawks. She allowed just three hits and stuck out seven batters.
That puts Hillsboro at 9-3. This is a more than solid start to the season and they have shown they are a force to be reckoned with. Look out for this Hawks club to keep improving as the season progresses. Their next challenge is in the Webster Groves tournament. That begins on Monday, September 13th.
