Softball Defeats Knox with 11-1, 10-2 Victories

GALESBURG, IL – Blackburn College Softball visited Knox College in a nonconference matchup and came away with their third sweep of the season, defeating the hosts 11-1 and 10-2.

The Beavers featured six players with three hits on the day. Senior Caroline Gibson and freshman Addison Ruyle had three hits and also tied for the team's lead with six runs batted in. Ruyle also had two home runs on the day. Gibson finished with two doubles.

Seniors Zoe Mitchell and Kailynn Kruep, and freshman Kendal Maddox had three hits and scored three runs each. Kruep also had a double and a triple.

Senior Michelle Hollon and freshman Taylor Weber picked up victories for the team as Hollon allowed just two runs in six innings while Weber only allowed one in four innings.

Knox scored the first runs of the day but Blackburn took a lead in the second inning. Mitchell singled to open the inning and Ruyle belted her first of the day to give BC a 2-0 lead. Freshman Kharma Giles followed with a single and senior Sierra Hiser doubled before freshman Alexis Weber doubled which scored Hiser and Giles. Maddox continued the run with a single then stole second before Gibson hit a single to score Maddox and A. Weber to put the Beavers ahead 6-1.

In the third inning, Ruyle singled before Giles hit her fourth home run of the season. Hiser got on due to an error and advanced to second off a wild pitch before A. Weber singled which allowed Hiser to score. A. Weber would score on the next at bat off Maddox's single and put BC ahead 10-1.

The fourth inning saw Mitchell get on with a single, advance to second off a Giles single and score on a ball hit by freshman Taryn Millburg to put the Beavers ahead 11-1 which proved to much for Knox to overcome for the 11-1 victory.

Blackburn took a 3-0 lead in the third inning of the second game. Senior Shelby Koenig singled and advanced to third on a ball hit by Maddox. Kruep followed with a single to score Koenig and put Maddox on second. After a wild pitch allowed the runners to move up a base, Gibson doubled and scored Maddox and Kruep for the 3-0 lead.

After Knox scored in the bottom of the third, Kruep opened the fifth inning with a double and scored on an error by Knox, with Gibson getting the RBI on the play. Mitchell then singled before Ruyle homered again, hitting her fifth of the season and made it 6-1.  

The sixth inning featured Kruep hitting a triple to score Maddox and then score on another double from Gibson. Elexus Frey came in to pinch run for Gibson and got to third on an error by the hosts that allowed Kenadee Frey to reach first. After K. Frey stole second, Ruyle hit a ball to left field which allowed both Frey's to score and put BC ahead 10-1. Knox added a run in the bottom of the inning but it wasn't enough and the Beavers won 10-2.

Blackburn now has 16 wins on the season and will now return to St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play Sunday when they host conference leader Mississippi University for Women.