Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 The Heartland softball opened up the season with a doubleheader at St. Charles Community College on Sunday. The Hawks battled back from deficits in both games, ultimately defeating the host St. Charles 8-6 in the opening contest of the day before rallying once again to pick up a win over Moberly Area Community College 6-4 in the second game to move to 2-0 on the young season.
 
Game 1
Heartland opened up its spring season with a thrilling 8-6 comeback victory over the host St. Charles, as the Hawks scored 5 runs in the top half of the seventh inning to secure the win.
 
The Hawks jumped out in front first, as Grace Wyman hit a two-out double following a Raeghan Morefield walk in the second frame. Moments later, an error by the Cougars allowed Morefield to score the game's opening run, and Heartland led 1-0.
 
Lauren Shively got the start for the Hawks and pitched very effectively, tossing 4 innings while allowing no runs on 5 hits, striking out 5 and walking 2 Cougars. The Cougars would eventually take the lead in the fifth frame off of reliever Amber Teimeyer as they pushed across 3 runs to take a 3-1 advantage.
 
Heartland tied the game in the top half of the sixth, as Sadie Christensen stroked a double to center field and was followed by a Bella Moser double, scoring two runs to tie things at 3-3.
 
After St. Charles regained the lead with 3 runs in the bottom half of the sixth, it was rally time for the Hawks entering the final frame. Heartland responded with 5 runs on 4 hits to jump out in front 8-6. Christensen, Wyman, Mya Robinson and Autumn Lage each contributed hits in the inning.
 
Morgan Malone would ultimately secure the win for the Hawks, as the freshman allowed just 1 hit in the final half-inning.
 
Game 2
The second game of the twin bill featured the Hawks and the Greyhounds of Moberly Area Community College. Moberly Area was able to jump out in front early, scoring 4 runs off of Heartland starter Claire Leffelman to gain an early 4-0 advantage.
 
The Hawks would cut into the lead in the bottom half of the opening inning with 2 runs on 3 hits to cut the deficit to 4-2. Danielle Bogle led off the inning with a single to center field, and Ellie Downing followed with her own base hit. Robinson moved over both runners with a sacrifice bunt before Morefield lined a bases-clearing knock to right field.
 
Malone took over for Leffelman with two outs in the first frame and dominated the rest of the way for the Hawks. Malone tossed 6.1 innings and yielded no runs on 7 hits, while striking out 7.
 
Heartland added another run to the tally in the third frame. Following a triple by Downing, an error off of a Robinson grounder allowed Downing to cross the plate to bring the Hawks to within one at 4-3.
 
It was the sixth frame that put the Hawks in front for good, as they tallied 3 runs on 2 hits to take the lead. Morefield and Lilly Mucha contributed base-knocks in the inning.
 
The Hawks will return to action Friday at 11:30 am (ET) in Clermont, Fla. against South Suburban College before facing off with Lake Michigan College at 4:30 pm (ET) Friday. Heartland will play six games while on their Florida trip.