LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Hanover softball team bowed out of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament on Thursday evening after falling in an elimination game to Anderson 6-5.
 
The Panther were led by senior Lily Beurman (Evansville, Ind.) with two hits and an RBI, while freshman Ava Hilgenhold (Tell City, Ind.) added an RBI.
 
Hanover struck first in the contest as Beurman hit a single through the right side in the top of the first inning scoring sophomore Kendra Hutchison (Lafayette, Ind.), 1-0.
 
The excitement continued for the Panthers as senior Mackenzie Smith (Jeffersonville, Ind.) singled to left center scoring sophomore Kensie Bradley (Greenfield, Ind.) in the in the top of the third inning before Hilgenhold hit a sacrifice fly to left field that scored Hutchison, 3-0.
 
Anderson responded in the next half inning cutting the deficit to 3-1 before a senior Rachel Cox (Indianapolis, Ind.) single to left field scored sophomore Katherine Dickinson (Francisco, Ind.) in the top of the fifth inning for the 5-1 advantage.
 
The Ravens tied the contest in the bottom of the fifth inning before scoring the game's final run in the top of the sixth inning en route to the 6-5 victory.
 
Hanover finished the year at 12-19 overall, 9-7 in HCAC action advancing to the HCAC Tournament for the first time since the 2016 season.