Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – The Hanover Panthers opened the 2022 season on Sunday afternoon with a trip to non-conference foe Illinois College. Hanover claimed game one 4-2 before falling in the night cap 12-7.
 
GAME ONE
Hanover captured game one over Illinois College 4-2 behind a strong showing by freshman Carson Kruse (Fort Branch, Ind.) with two RBI.
 
Hanover surged ahead early as sophomore Carson Bennett (Batesville, Ind.) provided a lead-off single that set the stage for junior Kendra Hutchison (Lafayette, Ind.) who delivered with a shot to second base that scored freshman Carson Benne, 1-0.
 
The Panthers tacked on another run in the top of the fifth inning as Bennett delivered reaching on an error that plated freshman Mallorie Fultz (Greenfield, Ind.).
 
They would tack on two more runs in the top of the sixth inning with Kruse providing the clutch hit using an RBI single to right to score both freshman Lauren Beaman (Indianapolis, Ind.) and graduate studnet Lily Beurman (Evansville, Ind.).
 
Illinois College looked to rally in the bottom half of the inning but fell unsuccessful as Hanover was able to retire the side and secure the win.
 
GAME TWO
Illinois College took the early advantage using a two run first inning before the Panthers responded in the next half inning. Junior Lexi Garloch (Salem, Ind.) provided the RBI with a single through the right side that scored Beaman, 2-1.
 
However, the Lady Blues remained poise adding a run in the bottom of the second inning and six in the bottom of the third inning to blow the contest wide open, 9-4.
 
Trailing 11-5 in the sixth inning, the Blue and Red looked to rally as Fultz charted an RBI that scored Kruse to cut the difference to 9-5. Bennett charted the Panthers last RBI as she scored sophomore Ava Hilgenhold (Tell City, Ind.) off a shot to the third baseman, but the comeback fell short as Illinois College took the game 12-7.
 
Hanover returns to action on Thursday, March 3 when they head to Alabama to take on Birmingham-Southern.