Monmouth Softball Loses Twice on Sunday

Leber tosses complete game in college debut

by Nathan Baliva

MONMOUTH, Ill - (03/08/2021) — The Monmouth College Fighting Scots softball team dropped both games of their season-opening double header to Aurora University on Sunday at Monmouth Softball Field. The Spartans took the opener 4-0 and won the nightcap 8-0 as both teams kicked off their 2021 seasons with non-conference action.

Freshman Abby Leber (Tremont, Illinois) got the start on the mound for the Fighting Scots and stranded two Spartans in the first inning. Aurora took the lead in the second as Brianna Lewis singled home two runs and they added an unearned run in the third. The final run of the game crossed the plate in the top of the fifth as Aurora scored on an error.

Monmouth was held to just three hits in the opener as Aurora hurler Hannah Tomasko struck out 10. Sophomore MyKenzie Kloess (Dupo, Illinois) picked up the first Monmouth hit of the season with a double in the second inning.

In game two the Spartans took the lead in the top of the first against left-handed pitcher Jenna Pauley (Moline, Illinois). Aly Teixeira singled home two runs with one out before Pauley retired the next two batters to leave Spartans at first and third.

Aurora shortstop Ashley Talaga made a great defensive play in the bottom of the first to keep the Scots off the board. Madelyn Belville (Rushville, Illinois) singled with one out and Jessica Pauley (Moline, Illinois) followed with a single. A fielder's choice by Alison Trettin (Manito, Illinois) put runners on the corners but Talaga made a diving stop between short and third and her throw to first retired Kloess by a step to end the inning.

Aurora added on in the third despite Monmouth turning a unique double play. With runners at second and third, Lexie Rayborn lifted a flyball to center. As Josie Lytton scored from third on the sacrifice fly, the Scots doubled off Teixeira at second as she left too early.

The Spartans broke the game open in the fourth as Lytton doubled home two and an error on the Scots infield added two more. Their final run came in the sixth against freshman reliever Emilie Cain (Villa Lakes, Illinois) and was unearned.

Monmouth Moments: Leber threw a complete game and struck out three in her collegiate debut…Belville had a hit in both games for the Scots…Jessica Pauley had two hits in game two, last year she had two hits in four of her eight starts…Makaylea Sepich (Mackinaw, Illinois) and Warmowski both had outfield assists…Sarah Lahood (East Peoria, Illinois) drew the Fighting Scots only walk of the double header…Freshman Biancha Luna (Monmouth, Illinois) caught the seventh inning after Pauley caught the first 13 innings of the day…Six freshman made their college debuts for the Scots on Sunday as did three transfers…New coach Alexa McClaughry also made her Monmouth debut…The Scots last played at home on April 9, 2019, a double header split against Illinois College…Monmouth is next in action on Thursday as they travel to St. Louis, Missouri for a 3 p.m. doubleheader against Fontbonne…The next home game is a 1 p.m. double header against Illinois College on Saturday, March 27.