Hansen throws no-hitter in Softball's sweep of Lambton
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Lambton | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
|
Humber | 3 | 1 | 7 | 0 | X | 11 | 14 | 1 |
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Lambton | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 2 |
|
Humber | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | X | 8 | 10 | 1 |
By: Fernando Bossoes
Humber Athletics Communications
ETOBICOKE – In front of their home crowd on a warm Saturday afternoon, the Hawks (5-1, 2nd OCAA) matched the heat as they captured the doubleheader sweep against the Lambton Lions (2-4, 7th OCAA) at Connorvale Park. Shade Hansen had another historical day in the circle, capturing the fifth no-hitter in the program's history and the second of her Humber career. In the second game, Melia Farrow was lights-out offensively, going three-for-three at the dish and recording a career-high four RBIs.
Game one (Humber 11, Lambton 0)
Hawks fans were back at Connorvale Park as Humber softball came home following a four-game road stretch. With a 3-1 record from the opening weekend, the Hawks arrived in Etobicoke aiming to claim the top spot in the province.
It was no surprise that coach Duaine Bowles tapped star pitcher Shade Hansen for the start in the nod. Hansen, who stacked awards last season and fell just 12 strikeouts short of breaking the provincial single-season record, already led the league with 25 strikeouts in just two games. She made no mistake in the circle, allowing no runs to send the Hawks on offence. The Humber bats were dialled in from the start, recording four hits in the inning. Rilee Devries and Reese Velocci scored on an error by first base and Marlee Greer recorded an RBI single to give an early 3-0 lead for Humber.
The Lions would struggle to trail the Hawks as they could not find answers to hot pitches from Hansen, who added two more strikeouts to the stat sheet in the top of the second. Before leaving the frame, first-year player Melia Farrow would score the third run of her collegiate career on a wild pitch. The Hawks led 4-0.
In the next frame, Humber would excite the fans in the crowd, cruising to a two-digit lead. A two-run double from Shea Hilpert, an RBI double from Farrow, an RBI single from Velocci and a two-run double from third-year player Amelia Russo gave the lead for good for the Hawks, 11-0.
Hansen would roll through the lineup in the fourth and fifth frames to write her name in Humber's history book —again. Recording five strikeouts over six at-bats, the righty captured the second no-hitter of her career and only the fifth in the program's history, slamming the door shut to wrap up the first game of the twin bill. Humber won 11-0.
Game two (Humber 8, Lambton 2)
The Lions knew they had to add numbers to the scoreboard early if they wanted something in the second game. Avery Moninger came out of the gate with an RBI single to put Lambton in the lead.
The Hawks' bats were cold in the first inning, but Springwater-born pitcher Zoe Scougall brought the temperature back up, shutting the door defensively with three strikeouts in the top of the second. The Humber offence rewarded its pitcher, as Farrow walked with the bases loaded, forcing Greer to score. The scoreboard read 1-1 at the end of the frame.
In the bottom of the third, Greer would calmly walk to the dish to put the Hawks ahead in the game. The first-year player from Barrie said goodbye as she homered past the fence, recording the first home run of her Humber career.
Lambton would tie the match up in the top of the fourth, but the Hawks, fearless, set the bats on fire in the bottom of the frame. Farrow stayed hot with a two-run double, driving Jessica La Ronde and Hilpert home safely. Humber would add two more runs to leave the inning up 6-2.
Farrow would add another RBI to the stat sheet in the next inning — her fifth of the day. The Hawks would score one more run in the sixth, while second-year pitcher Angelina Bomberry, who came in relief in the seventh inning, locked down defensively to capture the doubleheader sweep for Humber, 8-2.
Melia Farrow was named the Player of the Game, going three-for-three and recording a career-high four RBIs.
Humber Highlights
- Hansen recorded the second no-hitter of her career and the fifth in the program's history.
- Hansen leads the OCAA with 33 strikeouts.
- Melia Farrow's four RBIs in game two is her new career high.
What's Next?
The Hawks will stay in Etobicoke for the weekend. They will face the two-time defending provincial champions, St. Clair Saints (4-1, 3rd OCAA), on Sept. 15. A rematch of the 2023 OCAA Championship bronze-medal game, the doubleheader will start at 1 p.m. and will be streamed live on the Hawks Sports Network.
