CINCINNATI, Ohio – The Hanover College softball team was silenced to just three hits Wednesday evening during a road doubleheader at Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference foe, Mount St. Joseph.

The Panthers (8-14, 1-5 HCAC) dropped a 9-0 decision in five innings during Game One before suffering an 8-0 setback in six innings in Game Two. Hanover was outhit 21-3 during the twin bill. The Lions (24-5, 5-1 HCAC) have now won five straight games and 19 of their last 20 outings.

Sophomore Mackenzie Smith (Jeffersonville, Ind.) had the lone hit for the Blue and Red, while juniors Shelby Edington (New Goshen, Ky.) Jennah Ruddick (McCordsville, Ind.) each collected a base hit in the night cap.

Mount St. Joseph scored in all four of its offensive frames in the opener, including a five-run fourth to secure the win. The Lions took advantage of two HC errors in the inning, while adding four hits of their own.

Hanover's best opportunity in the opener came in the fifth, as two runners reached safely. A strikeout though, would end the contest.

The second game saw the Lions pick up three early runs before adding five in the final two frames. The Panthers had runners reach in the first, fourth and fifth, but none could advance into scoring position.

Hanover will look to bounce back when the team hosts Rose-Hulman for two games, beginning at 3:30 p.m., Friday, April 12.

Contact: Tyler Jester

jestert@hanover.edu