Credit: James Lynch Jr. | The News Herald

Lauren Hasson slips a glance towards the Freedom dugout as she rounds second base to see her teammates celebrating her two-run home run Friday versus Hibriten.

By: KEVIN CARVER | Morganton News Herald Published: May 12, 2012 Updated: May 12, 2012 - 3:53 PM

Lauren Hasson made the Freedom softball teams first-round playoff vision a reality, and Lindsey Auton completed the job as the Lady Patriots erased an early deficit to beat Hibriten at home, 8-4, on Friday.

Both Hasson and Auton posted key home runs in a victory that was Freedoms first in postseason play since the 2008 group did so in the 4A playoffs.

Freedom (13-9), who spotted Hibriten (9-16) two runs each in the top of the first and third innings, turned things around in the bottom of the third.

Kayla Poteat earned a one-out walk before Hasson took a turn at bat. On a 1-1 count, Hasson (2 for 3, three RBIs) torched a two-run homer that tailed just inside the left-field foul pole. After a walk to Paula Davis, Auton punished a shot into the centerfield gap for a double to cross Davis, cutting the deficit to 4-3.

Filling in for Cassie Saunders (illness) at second base was Poteat, who in turn became the silent hero. She lined a single to center in the fourth and Hasson followed by turning on the first pitch she saw for a double to left. The hit tied the game 4-4, and all the momentum appeared to go to Freedom.

In the next frame, Auton made sure it stayed that way. Megan Kirksey and Cassidy Smith connected on back-to-back base hits to lead off the bottom of the fifth, forcing Hibriten starting pitcher Bailey Land out of the circle.

The Panther pitching change backfired, as Auton (3 for 4, four RBIs) clobbered a 1-1 offering for a massive three-run home run to dead centerfield, giving Freedom the lead for good. Auton finished up just a triple shy of hitting for the cycle.

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Freedom powers back to overcome Hibriten, 8-4