Softball dominated Knox last Wed. in a double header claiming a pair of victories 10-1 and 18-3 to move to 3-1 in conference play.
In the first game of the day, Knox jumped out to the early lead in the opening inning. The Prairie Fire turned a single and a walk into a run when the Scots committed an error on a throw out attempt at second base.
Knox held off an immediate response by Monmouth in the bottom of the first, allowing only one hit in the frame. The bottom of the second was a different story as the Scots exploded for nine runs. A pair of walks put Alison Trettin and Alexis Opel on first and second to start the inning. Jen Pauley singled which turned into an error by the Prairie Fire’s right fielder allowing Trettin to score from second. Lauren Sperry singled to drive in another, followed by Kaelan Bradley’s two run double. Freshman Allie Ramlo crushed a three-run homer for runs five, six, and seven of the inning. Alexis Opel drove in the final two-runs of the rally on a double to put the game out of reach at 9-1.
Game two saw even more offense than the first. Monmouth put this game away early keeping Knox scoreless in the first frame before recording six runs of their own in the bottom of the first.
The Scots rallied off three consecutive singles to load the bases. Jessica Pauley recorded the fourth straight single to drive in Kaelan Bradley from first for the game’s opening score. Knox walked Megan Corniels, scoring Abby Tucker in the bases loaded situation for run two. Savannah Ball picked up the fifth single of the inning to score Dulee from third. Knox allowed another Monmouth run walking Alison Trettin with the bases loaded for the 4-0 lead. Ball scored the fifth run of the inning on a wild-pitch and Bradley singled for the second time to score Trettin for the sixth and final run of the frame.
With the win the Scots are tied for second in the conference. Up next, Monmouth will host their final home games in a double header against Illinois College on Apr. 9.
TATE HEIPLE
Sports Editor