STERLING, Kan. – Hesston College softball saw spirited offensive efforts in a challenging doubleheader at Sterling College on Tuesday, but the Lady Warriors swept the games by scores of 8-5 and 11-3. The Larks combined for 13 hits across both games and showcased impressive baserunning and timely production from key contributors such as Serena Hewes (3-for-4) and Gabriella Pantoja, but costly defensive miscues and Sterling’s depth kept Hesston from securing a victory. Sterling finished with balanced scoring and big innings in both contests to improve to 9-9 on the season, while Hesston drops to 1-9.
In Game 1, Hesston jumped out to an early lead with a three-run first inning sparked by an aggressive performance from Hewes, who tripled and scored on a steal of home, and RBI knocks from Pantoja and Alexis Newlin. The Larks led 3-0 before Sterling answered in the bottom of the first and tied the game at 4-4 after three innings. Sterling’s four-run fourth, highlighted by a home run and a two-RBI double, swung momentum in the Warriors’ favor. Hesston battled back in the fifth with an unearned run to knot it at 5-5, but Sterling added three unanswered runs with a mix of aggressive baserunning and Hesston errors to secure the 8-5 victory. Hesston collected eight hits in the opener with Hewes going 3-for-4, Ciara Mendez 2-for-4 and Newlin 1-for-3 with two RBIs, but Sterling’s balanced attack and fewer mistakes on defense proved the difference.
In Game 2, Sterling’s offense erupted early with a four-run second inning behind a trio of singles and a triple putting the Larks in a deficit they could not overcome. Hesston’s offense responded with a three-run third as Bailey Symons doubled and RBI errors and timely hits from Pantoja and Serena Hewes cut the gap to 4-3, but the Warriors responded with a six-run fifth inning featuring multiple RBI knocks. Sterling eventually coasted to an 11-3 win. The Larks showed resilience in the middle innings, but Sterling’s timely hitting and depth proved decisive in the nightcap.
The Larks will be back at home on Thursday (Feb. 26) to host Bethel College for a doubleheader starting at 4 p.m.
