Lexie Hamilton
HOPE — The Hauser softball team wasted little in putting away visiting North Decatur twice.
The Jets won the first game of the doubleheader 12-2 in six innings, and then captured the second game 11-1 in five innings Wednesday to control their own destiny for the Mid-Hoosier Conference title.
“They were really good wins,” Hauser senior pitcher Paige McDaniel said. “I’m glad my team came out and performed really well. I’m looking forward to the postseason.”
Paige McDaniel
McDaniel was honored with a ceremony prior to the start of the first game for being the school’s all-time career wins leader and recording over 500 strikeouts, as well.
The Jets (8-3, 5-0) had a slight 4-2 lead after four innings of the opener, but then scored three runs in the fifth and five runs in the sixth to put the game away.
Hauser wasted little time in the second game by scoring six quick runs. They added one run in the second , two in the third and two in the fourth to end the game.
McDaniel captured the win in the first game. She went six innings, allowing two runs on seven hits and six strikeouts. In the second game, she went three innings and allowed zero runs, two hits and three strikeouts. Haven Hartwell pitched in relief the final two innings, allowing one run, three hits and four strikeouts.
Several hits were recorded for many Jets’ players in the doubleheader. Lexie Hamilton was a combined 5 for 8 with two doubles and six RBIs; Izzy Brunner finished 4 for 7 with two doubles and three RBIs; McDaniel was 4 for 7 with a double and four RBIs; Kaitlyn Robinson was 3 for 7 with four RBIs; Haylin Campbell went 2 for 5 with a double, a triple and two RBIs and Lucie Asher was 2 for 5.
“The bats are really coming together. We’re starting to string hits together. We started off slow in that first game, but I asked them in that fourth or fifth inning, ‘Could we please bat around,’ and they did so,” Hauser coach Andy Brunner said. “It started out that way in the second game. That is the first time this year we have strung hits together in the first inning in the first at-bat. I’m very happy with that.”
