MYRTLE BEACH, SC - The Harford Fighting Owls softball team kicks off their 2024 season with a week long trip to Myrtle Beach, SC. The opening series had the Fighting Owls taking on the Olney Central College Knights in game 1 and Bay College Norse in game 2.
In game 1, Olney jumped up to an early lead of starter, Caroline Hilyard, with 2 runs in the first inning. Harford cut into the lead in the 2nd after Tonya Marks scored on a double steal. But then both pitchers took over and shut down their respective opponents over the next 3 innings. In the 6th inning, Brooke Hasegawa led off with a double and scored on a 1-out single by Arianna Blum. The teams were locked up at 2-2 and went into extra innings. The Knights were finally able to break through with 4 runs in the 9th. The Fighting Owls clawed back in the 9th. After scoring 3 runs, Harford loaded the bases with only 1 out and looked to steal a win. However, Olney went to their closer to shut down the comeback as she got Hasegawa to pop up and Brianna Lunenfeld to line out to 2nd for the 6-5 victory.

In game 2, Anna Sexton toed the pitching circle for the Fighting Owls. The freshman from Solanco High School proceeded to dominate the Bay College offense. Sexton went 5 innings, giving up only 2 hits while striking out 6. On the offensive side, Caroline Hilyard paced the offense with 2 hits and 4 RBIs. Brooke Hasegawa and Lexi Gresko added 2 hits each as Harford cruise to a 9-1 victory over Bay College. 

Next up, the Fighting Owls will take on Lincoln Trail College and Kankakee Community College on Tuesday, March 5th.