Knoch softball rolling along
JEFFERSON TWP — Knoch’s Sarah Mitchell, Sam Robb, Brynne Smith and Sylvia Luffy had a lot of fun on Senior Recognition Day at Laura Doerr Park.
They got a lot of help from their friends in enjoying the Knights’ 11-1 five-inning softball win over Highlands.
Freshman pitcher Kaila Purcell scattered five hits in tossing a complete game and every player in Knoch’s lineup scored at least one run. The Knights (10-3, 7-1) have won five games in a row and nine of their last 10.
“We’ve been getting some great pitching,” Knoch coach Chris Gardner sad. “Kaila’s only a freshman and Marlee Fraser is a sophomore. They’ve been splitting the duties there and both have been pitching well.
“Our defense has been solid, too. When you’re only giving up one or two runs a game, you’re going to win a lot of games.”
The game was scoreless in the second inning when Highlands (1-8, 1-5) loaded the bases with one out on consecutive singles by Gabby Chambers, Peyton Smalley and Lexi Bender. But Purcell fielded Bailey Megats’ grounder and threw home to force Chambers at the plate. Alexis Arms struck out to end the inning.
Knoch received sacrifice flies from Luffy and Robb to take a 2- lead in the bottom of the inning. Highlands nicked Purcell for a run in the third and had runners at second and third with one out. Purcell escaped trouble again as she caught Chambers’ pop fly and struck out Smalley.
“We’ve been putting the ball in play and that’s something we’ve been working on,” Rams coach Kasey Wolford said. “Knoch plays good defense. If we had broken through early, yeah, maybe this goes differently.”
Knoch scored three runs in each of the next three innings to end the game via the 10-run mercy rule.
“Once our bats get going, we can score runs in a hurry,” Gardner said.
Fraser had a two-run single in the third, Grace Hensch run-scoring singles in the fourth and fifth to highlight the Knights’ attack.
Hensch and Liz Danik scored two runs each in the game. Fraser collected a double, single and three RBI, Smith a pair of doubles and RBI. Hensch had three singles.
“We lost a lot of players from last year and we’ve put a lot of practice in this year,” Smith said. “Our underclassmen have really stepped up and worked hard. I’m excited about this season and where we might go.
“Winning on Senior Day means a lot. Everybody took part in it.”
Luffy contributed a single, RBI and run scored, Mitchell a run scored, Robb an RBI.
“All of the seniors had a piece of this win,” Gardner said. “We have a couple of underclassmen who normally start who sat today so all of our seniors could play. They played the entire game and contributed. That was good to see.”
Purcell struck out five and did not walk a batter in the win.
“Kaila’s change-up wasn’t working like it normally does, but she pitched around it,” Gardner said.
Wolford was not discouraged by the loss.
“We’re building, a lot of freshmen and sophomores out there, an all-junior infield ... We’re getting better, definitely moving in the right direction,” she said.
Highlands 001 00 — 1 5 3
Knoch 023 33 — 11 9 2
WP: Kaila Purcell 5IP (5so, 0bb). LP: Madi Gorley 4.2IP (1so, 2bb).
Highlands (1-8, 1-5): Jocelyn Scardina 1B, Carrah Scardina 1B RBI, Gabby Chambers 1B, Peyton Smalley 1B, Lexi Bender 1B.
Knoch (10-3, 7-1): Grace Hensch 3-1B 2-RBI 2-R, Liz Danik RBI 2-R, Marlee Fraser 1B 2B 3-RBI, Carissa Tekely 1B, Brynne Smith 2-2B RBI, Sylvia Luffy 1B RBI, Sam Robb RBI, Kaila Purcell RBI.
Friday: Knoch at Woodland Hills
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