File photo – The St. Bernard’s Crusaders

St. Bernard’s and Hoopa split a Little 4 softball doubleheader on Thursday as both teams reached the halfway point of their conference schedule.

The host Warriors took game one 4-2, but the visitors responded to take a high-scoring game two 12-10.

The split drops the Crusaders (4-2) into second in the Little 4 standings, while the Warriors (2-4) took over sole possession of third place, one win ahead of Ferndale (1-5).

In other L4 games on Thursday, the South Fork Cubs swept a doubleheader against Ferndale to go to 5-1 and take over sole possession of top spot in the standings.

In a low scoring game one at Hoopa, the Warriors took a one-run lead in the bottom of the first and never trailed.

They added three insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth and they would need them as the Crusaders closed out the game strong, plating two runs in the top of the seventh to make for an interesting finish.

The win was the third straight for the resurgent Hoopa girls, who are playing their best ball of the season at an opportune time, as they look to secure a Charles Lakin tournament berth and build some momentum.

Monteya Colegrove got the win in the circle and gave up just three hits ad two walks in a complete-game performance, while also striking out 12.

Angela Hern and Kalia Mitchell led an 11-hit team performance in the win and each finished 3-for-4, with Hern hitting a double.

Tsisna McCovey also had a bases-clearing double in the sixth inning for Hoopa, while Roxy Colegrove helped kickstart the big sixth inning with a deep left field double.

Tylie McKinnon also was 2-for-3 in the win and Kiera Ashley added a hit.

Kyna Tupua, Makinsey Lemley and Oni Orcutt each had a base hit for the Crusaders, with Lemley also walking.

Orcutt took the loss in the circle, but kept her team in the game until late.

The sophomore struck out three.

“Today was a battle of the bats,” St. Bernard’s head coach Hailey Wilson said. “In the first game we just couldn’t get the offense going. Monteya Colegrove threw a great game for Hoopa, and with only three hits it’s tough to come out on top.”

Game two was a different story and the St. Bernard’s girls started fast, opening up a six-run lead in the top of the first.

They stretched the advantage to nine before the Hoopa bats got going with five runs in the bottom of the fourth.

But it was ultimately too much of a gap for the Warriors to close and the Crusaders held on for the win to keep their championship hopes on track.

“In the second game we responded the right way,” Wilson said. “We brought the energy, swung the bats and came up with some huge defensive plays when it mattered.”

Orcutt got the win in the circle, allowing 14 hits in another complete-game performance and striking out one.

“Oni Orcutt did a great job staying composed and competing through both games,” Wilson said of the standout. “And I’m proud of how the team battled all day.”

Lemley, who has been one her team’s most impressive players this spring, continued to have the hot bat and was 4-for-5 in the win with three doubles, while teammate Anna Dorsch and Logan Tallman each also had a good game at the plate and both were 3-for-5.

Orcutt and Chloe Grunden each added two hits for the Crusaders, who are now 10-7 overall, with Grunden also walking.

Bailee White added a base hit to round out a 15-hit team performance.

Hern continued to impress for Hoopa in the second game and had two more hits, including a double, to cap a five-hit day, while Ashley was 3-for-5 with a double and three RBIs.

Senior Millennia McKindley added two doubles and drove in three runs for the home team, while Mitchell, McKinnon, Rikki Lipscomb, Amakyarram Bennett Blake and Roxy Colegrove each also had a hit.

“It was a tough loss, but I know my girls are going to take that and work their way back,” Hoopa head coach Jordan Colegrove-Avery said. “They’re putting their bats on the ball, we just have to get it going sooner.

“Overall, they’re a strong team and have a very good chance of fighting their way back.”

The Warriors, who have won three of their last four games are now 4-13, while St. Bernard’s is now 10-7.