HESSTON, Kan. — The Hesston College softball team dropped both games of a doubleheader to Arlington Baptist on Friday afternoon at home.
Game 1 — Arlington Baptist 10, Hesston 6
Hesston struck first in the bottom of the first inning when Alexis Newlin singled and later scored on an RBI single from Skye Gomez to give the Larks a 1–0 lead. The game remained quiet through the next few innings as both teams stranded runners and the Larks held the lead into the middle innings.
Hesston added to the lead in the fifth inning. Maddie Kulmala singled and later scored on an RBI single from Chloe Merjil. An Arlington Baptist error later in the inning allowed another run to score, giving the Larks a 3–0 advantage.
Arlington Baptist tied the game in the sixth inning with a three-run home run to even the score at 3–3. Hesston responded in the bottom half of the inning when Skye Gomez doubled and later scored on an RBI walk from Corlyn McGaha to regain the lead at 4–3.
Arlington Baptist broke the game open in the seventh inning. A double, walk and error helped load the bases before a grand slam pushed Arlington Baptist ahead. The Patriots scored seven runs in the inning to take a 10–4 lead.
Hesston tried to rally in the bottom of the seventh. Newlin walked, Mia Manzo singled and Gomez drove in a run with a single. Serena Hewes followed with another RBI single, but the rally fell short as Arlington Baptist secured the 10–6 win.
Gomez led the Larks with three hits and two RBIs, while Merjil, Manzo and Kulmala each added hits in the game.
Game 2 — Arlington Baptist 8, Hesston 4
Arlington Baptist scored first in the opening inning on a walk and an error that allowed a run to score. The Patriots added two more runs in the second inning on a pair of hits and a sacrifice fly to take a 3–0 lead.
Hesston responded in the third inning with a big offensive inning. Chloe Merjil singled and Alexis Newlin followed with a hit before Skye Gomez doubled to drive in two runs. Serena Hewes then singled and Abigail Cox added a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 3–3.
Arlington Baptist answered in the fourth inning with a big inning of their own, scoring five runs on multiple hits and an error to take an 8–3 lead.
Hesston added one more run in the fourth inning when Merjil hit a solo home run to left center to make it 8–4, but the Larks were unable to generate additional offense over the final three innings.
Merjil led the Larks with two hits including a home run, while Newlin and Gomez each had two hits. Gomez also drove in two runs in the game.
The Larks will return to action on Thursday at home against Oklahoma Wesleyan.
