The Hastings Raiders softball team played two road games during the past week, dropping a close conference matchup at Tartan, a 4-3 loss on April 14 before facing a strong Eastview team on April 17, falling 11-1. A third game scheduled for April 18 against Edina at Caswell Softball Complex in North Mankato was postponed due to weather. Hastings stayed competitive in stretches, especially in the opener against Tartan, and will look to carry that effort into the coming week’s schedule.
Hastings opened the week Tuesday, April 14, with a 4 to 3 loss at Tartan. The Raiders jumped out early with two runs in the top of the first inning. Leighton Robinson led off with a single and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Ella Hauschildt. Lily Watts reached after being hit by a pitch, then scored when Ella Carlson reached on an error to give Hastings a 2 to 0 lead. Tartan answered quickly in the bottom half of the inning, stringing together several hits to take a 4 to 2 advantage. After that early burst, the Raiders settled in defensively. Pitcher Sophie Braaten worked through traffic and kept Tartan off the board the rest of the way with help from solid defense behind her, including routine plays from Delaney Solberg and Robinson in the middle infield. Hastings chipped away in the fifth inning when Robinson singled again, moved into scoring position, and came home on a sacrifice fly by Solberg to make it 4 to 3. The Raiders threatened late as Jordan Leos singled in the seventh and moved into scoring position, but the tying run was left on base. Robinson collected multiple hits in the game, while Carlson, Solberg, Khylee Harris, Hauschildt, and Leos each added singles. Braaten handled the pitching duties and worked through several key innings to keep the Raiders within reach as Hastings finished with seven hits in the 4 to 3 loss.
Hastings returned to action Friday, April 17, traveling to Eastview where the Raiders fell 11 to 1. Eastview took control early with five runs in the first inning, using a mix of extra base hits and timely contact to build momentum. Hastings created opportunities in the second inning when Carlson singled and Lilah Gessner drew a walk, but the rally stalled before a run could score. The Raiders continued to battle through the middle innings. Brooke Meyers singled in the fourth inning and Sam Allan followed with another base hit, while Jordan Leos also added a single during the frame. Eastview extended its lead with four runs in the fourth inning and added two more in the fifth. Hastings broke through in the top of the fifth when Robinson singled and later scored on a line drive single to center by Hauschildt to make the score 9 to 1 at the time. Braaten started in the circle and recorded strikeouts in key spots before Autumn Aaron entered in relief later in the game. Robinson and Carlson each recorded hits for the second straight game, while Meyers, Allan, Leos, and Hauschildt also contributed base hits in the contest as Hastings finished with six hits in the 11 to 1 loss.
A scheduled game Saturday, April 18, against Edina at Caswell Softball Complex in North Mankato was postponed and will be made up at a later date if rescheduled.
Hastings will return to action Tuesday, April 21 at Hill Murray School at 4:30 p.m., then host Randolph on April 24 at Hastings High School at 4:15 p.m. The Raiders will continue their busy stretch with games April 27 at Simley, April 29 at South St. Paul, April 30 at home against Burnsville, and May 1 at home against Mahtomedi, all scheduled for 4:30 p.m. starts unless noted otherwise.