HUNTINGTON, Ind. - Goshen carried a lead into the bottom of the fourth inning of game one on Tuesday afternoon, but Huntington turned the game with one big rally and went on to hand the Maple Leafs a 10-3 loss. The Leafs had a five-run cushion in game two, but it was answered with an 8-2 run by the Foresters, as the flurry of runs led to an 8-7 win for the home team.

Game One
The Maple Leafs answered an early Huntington run with a strong swing from Esme Pico in the top of the second. Pico hit a two-run home run to give Goshen a 2-1 lead. Huntington tied the game in the bottom half when Kasey Hickle tripled to right field and drove in a run, but Goshen moved back in front in the fourth on Ella Mcleod's RBI single for a 3-2 edge.

The lead did not last long. Huntington's offense broke through in the bottom of the fourth with its biggest inning of the day. Makinzie Kline delivered a two-run single, and pinch-hitter Akasha Burton added a two-RBI single as Huntington sent six runs across to seize control. The home team added two more runs in the sixth, with Gaby Hypes singling and Kailee Bishop driving in a run to stretch the margin to 10-3.

Pico was one of Goshen's bright spots throughout the game. She finished 2-2 with the home run and two RBIs, accounting for much of the Maple Leafs' early offense while also working 5.2 innings in the circle. Celeste Gutierrez added two hits, including a double, and scored a run as Goshen finished with six hits, one home run, two doubles and one triple.

In the circle, Huntington starter Kinzie Mollenkopf went the distance and limited Goshen to three runs on six hits over seven innings. She struck out three and walked two on 83 pitches. Goshen's staff was charged with 10 runs, nine earned, on 12 hits, while Huntington also took advantage of four walks and finished with three stolen bases.

Game Two
The Maple Leafs looked in control after erupting for five runs in the top of the third. Goshen strung together key hits in the inning, with Rachel Kates capping the surge with an RBI single as the lead grew to 5-0. Huntington responded quickly, though, getting a two-RBI single in the bottom half to trim the margin to 5-2.

Huntington kept chipping away in the fourth. Makinzie Kline delivered a two-run double to left-center, cutting Goshen's lead to 5-4. The Maple Leafs answered in the fifth when Esme Pico drove in a run with a single to center, pushing the advantage to 6-4 and giving Goshen another chance to regain control.

Goshen finished with 12 hits, one more than Huntington, and got big production from Pico and Tatem Adams. Pico went 3-4 with a double, three RBIs and a stolen base. Adams also went 3-4 with an RBI, while working all six innings in the circle for Goshen. The Maple Leafs also stole three bases and left five runners on base.

But Huntington's lineup broke through again in the sixth - putting them in front for the first time since Goshen's third-inning outburst. The Maple Leafs made one more push in the seventh. Pico doubled home a run to cut the deficit to 8-7, putting the tying run on base, but Goshen could not bring home the equalizer before Huntington closed out the win.

Goshen hosts Bethel on Wednesday, March 25, at 3:30 pm.