Hawks run by Panthers
Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune Liberty’s Carli Duke gets congratulations from head coach Steve Uyeda after hitting a three-run first inning home run in a 12-2 victory over Washington Union on Friday.
The Liberty Hawks softball team collected 13 hits and stole seven bases for a mercy rule victory over Washington Union that lasted only five innings in a North Sequoia League showdown at Liberty.
“It’s been like this for about the last 10 games or so,” head coach Steve Uyeda said. “The top of the order is setting the table and taking care of most of it for us, but now the bottom half of our order is starting to come through, which is making us a very dangerous team to play.”
Behind home runs by Arianna Guzman and Carli Duke, the Hawks capitalized with runners in scoring position all afternoon, culminating in four runs in the first inning, three in the second inning and five in the fifth inning for a 12-2 victory.
Karli Fein and Brianna Burgess combined to steal five bases torching the opposing pitcher along the base paths.
The game began with a bang after Duke hit a three-run bomb, bringing the home fans to their feet. The Hawks ability to get on base with consecutive base hits allowed Duke to drive in the opening runs.
After a dominating bottom of the first, the Hawks led 4-0.
The Hawks got back to business in the bottom of the second after Guzman hit a three-run home run homer over the left field fence.
Guzman rounded the bases and her team a 7-0 lead two innings into the game.
The Panthers got on the board in the top of the third after an error allowed a run to cross the plate for a 7-2 Liberty lead.
The action picked up in the bottom of the fifth after Madi Devine and Nicole Silva opened the frame with consecutive hits. Calissa Haney then drove a fastball into center field, plating the pair. The Hawks cleared the bases leading 10-2.
The Hawks sent three more runners across the plate in the inning leading to the mercy rule win.
