The Homer softball team opened its 2018 season Friday in a Kodiak preseason tournament, going 2-1 against stiff competition.
The Mariners beat Service 4-2 and host Kodiak 5-3 before slipping in an 11-8 loss to Wasilla.
In their opening win over Service, Annalynn Brown struck out five in four strong innings of work in the pitching circle. The Cougars could only get three hits and two walks off Brown.
Brown also knocked in the go-ahead run with an RBI single in the top of the fourth.
Sadie Blake tied the game in the third with a bases-loaded walk,
On offense, Homer only managed two hits but drew seven walks total.
Grace Godfrey was the hero in Homer’s 5-3 victory over Kodiak, cranking a go-ahead grand slam in the second inning to send the Mariners to the win. Godfrey ended up 2 for 2.
Kaitlyn Johnson had tied the game in the bottom of the first with an RBI groundout.
Brown once again got the start in pitching and was tagged with three runs on two hits in three frames of work, while striking out six.
Homer found much better hitting against Wasilla, getting nine base hits that more than doubled their Friday output, but the Warriors hit back with 11 hits and 11 runs in just two total innings. Homer also committed six errors.
Homer pitcher Becca Chapman worked through 43 pitches in one inning, giving up eight runs (four earned) on four hits and three walks. Hannah Hatfield pitched the second frame and gave up three runs on four hits and a walk.
Godfrey once again came up big from the plate, hitting 2 for 3 with a triple and two RBI, while Briana Hetrick went 2 for 2 with three RBI on two doubles, and Miranda Martin was 2 for 2 with two RBI.
