Softball Swept by Luther in Friday DH

by Nathan Baliva

MONMOUTH, Ill. (03/30/2024) — The Monmouth College softball team played their third straight home non-conference doubleheader on Friday. The Scots fell to Luther College 10-0 in five innings in game one and 8-2 in game two.

Luther scored five runs in the second inning against Monmouth starter Alyssa Hefflefinger (Olin, Iowa). The big blow was a 3-run homer to center field and all five runs scored with two outs. Monmouth's first baserunner of the game came in the third when Jordan Lantz (Alexis, Illinois) was hit by a pitch with two outs.

Luther plated five runs in the fifth against Kayleigh Cobb (Pawnee, Illinois) to lead 10-0. Grace Goodrich (Lake Villa, Illinois) collected Monmouth's first hit of the game with one out in the fifth. Luther changed pitchers and a double play ended the game as Hefflefinger took the loss for the Scots.

GAME TWO

Luther scored one run in the top of the first inning against Monmouth starter Chelsea Herrick (Elgin, Illinois). The Scots loaded the bases as Karliegh Ashby (Monmouth, Illinois) walked, Goodrich singled and Grace Wyman (Pekin, Illinois) walked. Ashby scored on a groundout by Vanessa Wright (Villa Grove, Illinois) to tie the game.

The Norse plated two in the second, one earned and one unearned, to lead 3-1. Goodrich reached on an error, Wyman singled and Wright walked to load the bases with no outs in the third. However, a strikeout, lineout and fielders' choice ended the inning with the score still 3-1 Luther.

The Norse added an unearned run to lead 4-1 in the fifth. Monmouth responded in the bottom of the inning. Wyman singled with one out and Kendall Lewis (Cambridge, Illinois walked with two down. Savannah Powers (Volo, Illinois) was hit by a pitch to load the bases and Wyman scored when Lantz was hit by a pitch.

Luther scored twice in the sixth for a 6-2 lead and Hefflefinger relieved Herrick in the circle. A double played two more runs to give the Norse an 8-2 lead. Neither team scored the rest of the way and Herrick took the loss.

MONMOUTH MOMENTS: Wyman's six-game hit streak ended in game oneGoodrich had a hit in both gamesLantz was hit by a pitch in both gamesAlexis Hardy (Rushville, Illinois) and Ashby both had doubles in game twoHefflefinger pitched in both gamesMonmouth next plays on Wednesday at Eureka with a 2 p.m. doubleheader. The next home game is at 1 p.m. DH on April 13 against Ripon.