WICHITA, Kan. — The Hesston College softball team faced a tough road test Monday afternoon, falling in both games of a doubleheader at Friends University. The Falcons claimed the opener 24–2 before securing an 11–2 win in the second game.
Game 1 – Friends 24, Hesston 2
Friends jumped out quickly in the first inning, capitalizing on an early error and aggressive baserunning to build a 7–0 lead. The Falcons continued to apply pressure in the second, erupting for 13 runs on 10 hits, including a pair of home runs and multiple extra-base hits, to stretch the advantage to 20–0.
Hesston broke through in the third inning. Serena Hewes singled up the middle and later scored when Skye Gomez delivered an RBI single through the right side. The Larks added another run in the fifth as Gabriella Pantoja reached and advanced into scoring position before Mia Manzo drove in a run with a single down the left-field line.
Hesston finished with four hits in the contest. Manzo and Gomez each recorded an RBI, while Hewes and Corlyn McGaha added hits. Kali Adams started in the circle, with Moriah Ortiz providing relief.
Game 2 – Friends 11, Hesston 2
The Falcons again struck early in game two, plating two runs in the first inning on back-to-back doubles. Friends added another run in the second before Hesston settled in defensively.
The Larks responded in the fourth inning. Chloe Merjil drew a walk and moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by Hewes. Cox followed with an RBI single to right field to cut the deficit to 3–1.
In the fifth, Hesston added another run. Pantoja singled and stole second before advancing to third on a wild pitch. Alexis Newlin lifted a sacrifice fly to center field to score Pantoja and make it 5–2.
Friends answered in the bottom half of the fifth with a six-run inning, highlighted by a two-run home run and multiple RBI singles, to put the game out of reach at 11–2.
Hesston totaled four hits in the second game, with Pantoja, Newlin, Ciara Mendez and Cox each collecting one. Arlynn Smith went the distance in the circle for the Larks.
With the two losses, Hesston will look to bounce back on Wednesday when the Larks travel to Lindsborg to face Bethany College.
