Morris, MN - The MLC softball team almost had a shot at their first win of the season in game two of their three-game series at Minnesota Morris. The Knights were swept
11-0 in game one on Friday, while the Cougars took game two
5-4 and game three
11-0 on Saturday.
Minnesota Morris 11, MLC 0
In game one, Minnesota Morris pitcher Alyssa Thornton tossed a no-hitter in five innings on the mound. Thornton got some help from her offense, and especially from Jillian Anderson, who finished with four RBI, including a homer in the fourth inning. The Cougars were up 5-0 through three innings and enforced the eight-run rule with a six-run bottom of the fourth.
Chloe Berg led MLC with five putouts playing first base, and
Hannah Ott finished with three assists at third base.
Minnesota Morris 5, MLC 4
MLC took their first lead in conference play after posting four runs in the top of the fourth frame to make it 4-3 in their favor.
Katelyn Rassat had a bases-clearing double that also allowed her to score off of an error from the Minnesota Morris defense. The Knights had three hits in one of their better innings of the season.
In the next half inning, the Cougars regained the lead due to an MLC error and an RBI single to left field and both teams remained scoreless the next couple of innings as Minnesota Morris held off the Knights 5-4.
Despite the loss, MLC showed some improvement in the game, and pitcher Jess Horn allowed just two earned runs in six innings, while Rassat led the Knights with four RBI.
Minnesota Morris 11, MLC 0
In the final game of the series, Taylor Johnson recorded four RBI, including a two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth to make it 6-0. In that inning, the Cougars put up seven runs on the board on the way to another 11-0 victory over MLC.
Alyssa Thornton pitched her second no-hitter of the series, making it hard at the plate for the Knights. Berg led MLC with 10 putouts at first base once again.
MLC will have a three-game home series with North Central starting with a single game at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16.