Leber Throws CGSHO as Scots Split in Ripon

Monmouth gets first MWC win of season

by Nathan Baliva

MONMOUTH, Ill. (04/08/2023) — The Monmouth College softball team split a Midwest Conference double header on Friday at Ripon. The Scots (7-13, 1-3) lost the opener 583 and won the nightcap 5-0.

In the opener, Monmouth had two runners on in the first and the bases loaded in the second but didn't score in either inning. In the third, two walks and a bunt single by Madelyn Belville (Rushville, Illinois) loaded the bases. But the Scots lost a runner at the plate before scoring on a passed ball for a 1-0 lead.

Ripon took the lead against Lizzie Durfee (Arlington, Washington) in the fourth. A single, hit batter and error loaded the bases. Another single gave the Red Hawks a 2-0 lead and Kayleigh Cobb (Pawnee, Illinois) took over for Durfee. Ripon loaded the bases and scored on four straight plays with a fielder's choice, a bases loaded walk and two hits.

Down 8-1 in the seventh, the Scots started the inning with walks by Olivia Riddley (Chatham, Illinois) and Belville. With two down, Vanessa Wright (Villa Grove, Illinois) doubled to cut the Ripon lead to 8-3 but that was the final score.

Durfee (1-6) took the loss allowing five runs on four hits and a walk over 3 innings. She struck out four and hit a batter. Cobb allowed three runs on three hits and two walks in of an inning. . Anna McCarty (Decatur, Illinois) allowed one hit and one walk in two shutout innings.

In game two, the Scots got going right away. Calista Warmowski (Spring Grove, Illinois) reached on a fielder's choice and Wright singled to put runners on the corners. Wright was thrown out attempting to steal second but Warmowski scored for a 1-0 lead.

Abby Leber (Tremont, Illinois) fave up just one base runner through the first three innings with a single allowed. Monmouth added on in the fourth as Leber he;ped her own cause with a single to plate Lillian Hucke (Aledo, Illinois). MyKenzie Kloess (Dupo, Illinois) singled home Cobb for a 3-0 Monmouth lead.

Leber kept the Red Hawks off the board and Monmouth added on in the seventh. With two down, Warmowski singled and came around to score on a double by Wright. Monmouth made it 5-0 when Wright scored and Leber struck out two in the seventh to finish off the complete game.

Leber (4-5) threw her second straight complete game and this time recorded a shutout. She struck out seven, allowed five hits and did not issue a walk in the win.

MONMOUTH MOMENTS: Leber is 12th on the Scots career appearances list for pitchers with 46 games. She moved into ninth in innings pitched with 252 . The complete game was the 21st of her career and the win is her 16th. Leber has four career shutouts, one away from tying for sixth on the Scots career list. Wright, Warmowski and Belville had hits in both games. Leber also batted for the first time all season going 2-for-3 with a RBI. The Scots are 17-15 all-time against Ripon. The Scots swept the series last year and are 10-5 since 2013. Monmouth heads to Lawrence for a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday. The games have been moved to Green Bay and will be played on the campus of UWGB.