HANOVER, Ind. – The Hanover softball team punched their ticket to the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament on Saturday afternoon as they split with Franklin at Kops-Bedel Stadium. Hanover took game one 6-4 before falling in the night cap 12-2.
 
The Panthers advance to the HCAC Tournament for the first time since the 2016 season.
 
GAME ONE
Hanover struck first in the bottom of the fifth inning as senior Rachel Cox (Indianapolis, Ind.) hit an RBI double to left field that scored sophomore Katherine Dickinson (Francisco, Ind.), 1-0. The scoring frenzy continued as freshman Ava Hilgenhold (Tell City, Ind.) singled to left center scoring Cox before a senior Mackenzie Smith (Jeffersonville, Ind.) single tacked on another run, 4-0.
 
The final run of the inning came off the bat of sophomore Kendra Hutchison (Lafayette, Ind.) who singled to right field to propel HC out front 6-0.
 
Franklin looked to rally in the top of the seventh inning as they were able to plate four runs before the Blue and Red retired the side and secured the HCAC victory.
 
Senior Lily Beurman (Evansville, Ind.) picked up the win in the circle as she pitched a complete game with four strikeouts.
 
GAME TWO
Franklin scored early and often in game two as they used a two run first inning to capture the early advantage.
 
However, Hanover responded in the bottom of the second inning as sophomore Courtney Chookie (Warsaw, Ind.) singled to center field before Bradley plated the game tying run with an RBI to left center, 2-2.
 
The Grizzlies deemed too much in game two as a three run fifth inning and a seven run sixth inning sent FC to the 12-2 split.
 
Hanover returns to action Thursday ,May 13 when they compete as part of the HCAC Tournament.