Hart split a doubleheader against Oakridge Friday as it tuned up for postseason play.
The Pirates won game one of the twinbill 10-7 before dropping a 17-7 decision in game two.
Game
one was close throughout, with several lead changes. Hart took the
first lead of the game in the first inning, then came from behind to
grab leads in the third and the fourth. The Pirates added insurance runs
in the fifth and seventh and held on for the win.
Reese Smith
had the big hit of a four-run third for Hart, singling with the bases
loaded to drive in a run. The Pirates' two other baserunners also came
around to score on Oakridge errors on the play. Leah Walker then doubled
Smith in to cap off the rally.
After Oakridge tied it in the
bottom of the third, Smith came up in the fourth and crushed a two-out
home run to center field, giving the Pirates the lead for good.
Smith
had three hits in all, ending up a triple short of hitting for the
cycle. She had four RBI and scored twice. Makenna Carrier also had three
hits and scored three times. Walker, ElliAna Guikema and Kearnee Short
each got two hits.
Smith got the win in the circle, allowing three earned runs and striking out five.
The
Pirates grabbed an early lead in game two by scoring three times in the
first, but Oakridge rallied with seven runs in the bottom of the inning
and ended up with a five-inning mercy rule win. Sydney Bateson drove in
three runs, and Carrier again scored three times.
