Softball Swept by Simpson on Sunday

by Nathan Baliva

MONMOUTH, Ill. (03/28/2022) — The Monmouth College softball team scored first in both games but were eventually swept by Simpson College in a home doubleheader on Sunday. The non-conference games were pushed back one hour to get warmer weather on a still cold day in Monmouth.

The Scots got on the board in the bottom of the first inning of game one, without a hit. Calista Warmowski (Spring Grove, Illinois) reached on an error, as did Madelyn Belville (Rushville, Illinois). Warmowski was out at third on a fielder's choice but Belville scored on another Simpson error as Monmouth went on top 1-0.

Simpson scored twice against starting pitcher Abby Leber (Tremont, Illinois) in the third inning. A single and an error put two on base before another hit tied the game and Simpson went on top with a RBI groundout.

Simpson led 3-1 in the fifth when the Scots got their first hit of the game. Maddie Wilson (Wyoming, Illinois) picked up a single as a pinch-hitter after Addison Riley (Illinois City, Illinois) walked. But the next two Scots were retired with runners left on first and second. Simpson added another run with a solo homer in the seventh to win the opener 4-1.

Leber (1-6) took the loss with a complete game. She allowed two earned runs and struck out three. Belville singled in the bottom of the first inning of game one but was left on second base.

The Scots took the lead an inning later with a pair of errors setting the stage. With runners on second and third and no outs, Makaylea Sepich (Mackinaw, Illinois) drove in Mykenzie Kloess (Dupo, Illinois) with a groundout. Riley followed with a single and stole second but the Scots left two in scoring position.

Simpson loaded the bases in the third with a single, error and a walk against Jenna Pauley (Moline, Illinois). They got on the board with a wild pitch and took a 2-1 lead with a bases-loaded sacrifice fly. A single made it 3-1 and another sacrifice fly gave the visitors a 4-1 lead.

The Scots left two runners on base in the fifth as they finished the inning with the tying run at the plate. Simpson put the game away in the seventh with a RBI single and a two-run double for a 7-1 lead.

Pauley (0-4) took the loss, allowing three earned runs on three hits and three walks in three innings. Anna McCarty (Buffalo, Illinois) gave up three runs in four innings of work.

MONMOUTH MOMENTS: The Scots had six hits on the day from six different playersThe Scots have played seven games decided by three runs or lessMonmouth is next in action at 1 p.m. next Saturday at home against Grinnell in the Midwest Conference openerThe teams will play a double headerMonmouth's first six MWC games are at home between April 2-10.