Softball Gets First Win of Season in Monday Split

Jessica Pauley hits first homer of 2021

by Nathan Baliva

GALESBURG, Ill. (04/13/2021) — The Monmouth College softball team picked up their first win of the season in a double header split at Knox College on Monday. The Scots won the opener 10-2 as they run-ruled the Prairie Fire before losing the nightcap 5-3. The games were non-conference tilts as Monmouth head coach Alexa McClaughry picked up her first win with the program.

The Scots got things going right away in the top of the first. Jessica Pauley (Moline, Illinois) launched a two-run homer, her first of the season, for a 2-0 Scots lead. Sarah LaHood (East Peoria, Illinois) singled as did Madison Belville (Rushville, Illinois). With two outs, Addison Riley (Illinois City, Illinois) doubled the Scots lead with a two-run double.

Leading 4-1 the Scots added on in the second. Calista Warmowski (Spring Grove, Illinois) doubled home a run and later scored on a single by Brittney Enos (Fisher, Illinois) as the Scots went on top 6-1. Warmowski led off the fourth with a walk and eventually scored on a single by Pauley for a 7-1 Scots lead.

The Scots run-ruled the Prairie Fire with three in the fifth. Warmowski doubled home pitcher Abby Leber (Tremont, Illinois) and then scored on a single by Pauley. LaHood made it 10-2 with a double of her own and Leber closed out Knox in the bottom of the inning.

Leber (1-5) earned the win with a complete game as she allowed two runs on seven hits while striking out four and walking three.

"It was nice to get our first win of the season today," said coach McClaughry. "I'm seeing a lot of good adjustments at the plate."

The Scots got off to another great start in game two. MyKenzie Kloess (Dupo, Illinois) singled to start the game and stole second and went to third on a single by Warmowski. Pauley's sac fly gave the Scots a 1-0 lead and LaHood's double made it 2-0.

Knox tied the game in the bottom of the first and took a 4-2 lead with two runs in the second inning.

Monmouth got a run back in the fifth but left the tying and go-ahead runs on base. Kloess doubled and Pauley walked to put runners on the corner with one out. After a fly out the Scots cut the lead to 4-3 as Riley singled before Knox escaped the inning.

Down 5-3 the Scots left the bases loaded in the sixth with a strikeout and fly out. They put one on base in the seventh to bring the tying run to the plate but couldn't get closer.

"We need to learn how to win two," said McClaughry. "This is a pivotal point for us in the season as we head into conference play. I hope we continue competing and seeing these good things moving forward."

MONMOUTH MOMENTS: Leber picked up her first career collegiate winKloess, Warmowski, LaHood and Riley each had at least one hit in both gamesKloess had a double in both games as did LaHoodThe Scots had seven doubles and a homer on the day with five of those doubles in the openerThe Scots are next in action with a 3 pm Wednesday DH against Illinois College at homeThese will be the first conference games of the season.