Softball Shutout Twice by Grinnell on Monday

by Nathan Baliva

MONMOUTH, Ill. (04/23/2024) — The Monmouth College softball team lost at home 10-0 and 18-0 ro Grinnell in Midwest Conference action on Monday.

The Pioneers scored five runs in the second inning off Monmouth starter Kayleigh Cobb (Pawnee, Illinois). Alyssa Hefflefinger (Olin, Iowa) took over during the inning and didn't allow another run until the fifth. Grinnell pushed the lead to 7-0 in the fifth and then added three more in the seventh.

Monmouth put two runners on base in the third as Lillian Hucke (Aledo, Illinois) led off with a single and Alexis Hardy (Rushville, Illinois) singled. But Grinnell picked up three straight outs to escape the inning.

Cobb (3-3) took the loss with five runs allowed. Hefflefinger struck out four over 5 innings in relief.

GAME TWO

Grinnell plated seven runs in the top of the first against Addison Steward (Danvers, Illinois). Four of the runs were earned as the Pioneers sent 12 batters to the plate against two Monmouth pitchers.

The Pioneers added four runs against Chelsea Herrick (Elgin, Illinois). Two of the runs were unearned as Grinnell pushed the lead to 11-0. Grinnell scored in each of the next three innings but just two of the runs were earned off Cobb.

Monmouth finished game two with two hits, one by Lantz and one by Hucke. They didn't have more than one runner on base in any inning.

MONMOUTH MOMENTS: Lantz had two hits in game one Lantz and Hucke had hits in both games. Monmouth leads the all-time series 60-26 but the Pioneers have won five in a row Monmouth continues MWC action with a doubleheader at Knox on Saturday at 1 p.m. and they will host Cornell for a Senior Day DH on Sunday at 1 p.m.