SPRING ARBOR, Mich. - The winningest Goshen College softball season in program history came to an end on Tuesday afternoon, as the eight-seeded Maple Leafs lost to the five-seed Huntington 9-1 in a five-inning single-elimination game. The Leafs totaled 25 wins this season, their highest mark since the inception of the team in 1993.

The Maple Leafs quickly made their presence known in the top of the first inning. Shea VanScoter singled and then stole second to set the stage. A well-executed bunt from Ella Mcleod moved VanScoter to third and a sacrifice fly from Grace Schmitt scored her. Goshen led 1-0 in the middle of the first.

With a 2-2 count and two outs in the bottom of the first, the Foresters took a 2-1 lead on an RBI single down the left field line. On the next pitch from Goshen starter Esme Pico, a groundout to shortstop ended the inning.

The score stayed 2-1 after the second, as both teams left a runner on base. The Maple Leafs had runners at first and second after a pair of singles by VanScoter and Mcleod in the third, but VanScoter left early and was called out. A lineout to shortstop with the throw back to first resulted in a double play and ended Goshen's chances of scoring in the inning.

Fielding errors caused the Foresters to extend their lead in the third. Huntington took a 3-1 advantage from a slight bobble in center field from VanScoter after a single up the middle. Gena Moore scored from second. An RBI single and double made it 5-1 and two wild pitches took it to 7-1. Camryn Barrows entered the game with a 2-0 count and two outs and got the third out on a groundout. Though Pico had given up seven runs in the first 2.2 innings, only two were earned. Goshen had three errors in the third inning, though the second out came on an impressive catch by first baseman Grace Schmitt along the netting in foul territory.

Goshen had a couple of runners on base in the fourth when Kamille Badibanga sent a ball to right center, but it was caught on a diving play. Despite Goshen's leadoff hitter getting on base every inning through that point, the Leafs were just 2-11 with runners on base.

Barrows allowed one run and got one out in the bottom of the fourth when she swapped spots with VanScoter in center field. Huntington scored again, a run charged to Barrows, but VanScoter got out of the inning.

Huntington starter Emma Payton was removed after four innings of work and Natalie Haselby came in. Goshen had to score at least one run to avoid the eight-run mercy rule after five innings. Rachel Kates reached base on the second HU fielding error of the game and stole second. It was Goshen's fourth stolen base of the game, tying their season-high against a Crossroads League opponent. However, Haselby threw three straight strikeouts even though the Leafs only had one through the previous four innings. With the eight-run difference, the game ended in five with a 9-1 Huntington win.

Shea VanScoter finished 2-3 with two singles and a run. The other Goshen hits came from Ella Mcleod and Bianca Diamond. The Maple Leafs were 4-4 on stolen base attempts, whereas the Foresters had no attempts. Goshen's leadoff hitter got on base each inning, but the same was true for Huntington. Goshen was 1-8 with runners in scoring position and Huntington was 5-12.

The 2024 season was a record-setting year for the Maple Leaf, with a program-record 25-win season. The year included four walk-off wins, an 8-2 record at the Space Coast Spring Games, a four-game sweep of Bethel and a 5-2 road win at #16 Indiana Wesleyan. Huntington will go on to play Mount Vernon Nazarene on Wednesday, May 1, at 10:00 am. The winner will face Marian at 3:00 pm.