Hester's Homer Salvages Doubleheader Split for Softball

SALISBURY,  NC -- Senior Khourtni Hester (Waldorf, MD/McDonough HS) hit a three-run homer in the sixth to help Catawba salvage a split with visiting Queens in softball action on Monday afternoon at Whitley Field.  Queens won the opener 2-1, while the Catawba Indians took game two 6-5.  Both teams move to 6-4 on the season.

Hester capped a two-out rally by the Lady Indians, who entered the sixth down 4-2.  Tara Gibbs (Waynesville, NC/Tuscola HS) had singled with one out and scored on a two-out single by Amanda Terry (Cordova, NC/Richmond Senior HS).  Brittany Murray (Asheboro, NC/E. Randolph HS) followed with a walk to chase Queens starter Brandy Jester (Georgetown, DE).  Hester stepped in as a pinch hitter and greeted reliever Chantel Dodge (Shalimar, FL) with a three-run homer to center. 

Queens got a run back in the seventh on a two-out single by Jester, but Emily Huneycutt (Locust, NC/W. Stanly HS) worked out of further damage to post the win.  She allowed three earned runs off eight hits.  The freshman struck out three to improve to 3-2.

In the opener, Dodge surrendered just four hits and one unearned to lead the Royals.  She posted six strikeouts and upped her record to 4-1.  Both teams scored in the third.  Kaitlyn Cheek (Richmond, VA) hit a sacrifice fly for Queens, while Alli Justice (Bishopville, MD/Decatur HS) doubled home a run for Catawba.  The Royals scored the winning run in the sixth on a two-out single by Brittany Harrell (Morganton, NC).

Kayla Myers (Bryson City, NC/Swain Co. HS) had the only multi-hit game in the opener with a pair of hits for Catawba.  Murray took the loss for the Lady Indians as she scattered six hits and gave up one earned run.

Cheeks collected three hits for Queens in the nightcap.  Terry had two hits and scored two runs for Catawba, while Carly Sabat (Warren, OH/Howland HS) also had a pair of hits.

Game 1 Box

Game 2 Box