SETH DRURY ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
The Knights softball team traveled to Missouri and came home with a weekend record of 4-0. On Saturday, Wartburg won 3-0 and 10-0 against Stephens College (Mo.) and followed that with wins of 1-0 and 3-0 against Westminster College (Mo.) on Sunday.
The first three innings were a scorless and uneventful affair for both teams. In the top of the fourth, Tina Vande Hoef led of the inning with a homerun which was all pitcher Lexy Determan and the Knights needed.
Determan started the game off by retiring 16 straight batters before she gave up a double in the bottom of the sixth inning. Determan ended the game pitching six scoreless innings giving up one hit, two walks, and struck out 11.
“Our pitchers have done an outstanding job. Detterman, Angela Hartwig and Jacie Smith all had a part in all four of the shut-outs and so they all contributed and looked really impressive,” head coach Kara Kehe said.
Hartwig stepped into the game in the seventh to close it out for the Knights. Wartburg finished with four hits. Leading the way for the Knights was Vande Hoef who went 2-2 with a homerun and a single.
In the second game, the action started a little earlier as the Knights lit up the board in the top of the second inning. The offense in the inning didn’t start for the Knights until Determan stepped into the box and hit a two out single. Leane Yoder followed that with a single of her own and two walks pushed Determan across home plate.
On the defensive side of the ball, Hartwig scattered four hits through seven innings. She sat down 11 batters and walked none.
In the top of the sixth, the Knights posted some insurance runs as Yoder reached on an error which also scored a run. Lynn Heitkamp followed that with a single that scored Amber Ralston.
“I think we are really working hard and we’re hoping to improve everyday we go out. That’s our expectation and we are striving to meet those goals and you have to remember it’s early in the season and we hope that will continue,” Kehe said.
On Saturday, Wartburg squared off against the Stars of Stephens College hoping to continue their win streak of two. The first game went to the Knights by way of a 3-0 decision. The second game was once again in favor of the Knights this one swung 10-0 to the black and orange.
The Knights added a tenth shut-out victory to their 15-1 record.
“I think it all starts in the pitching circle. They have a great opportunity to put the team in a great position every day we take the field. I’m really impressed with their effort and willingness to work together.” Kehe said.
This Friday the Knights open their home season against Ashford with the first pitch to be thrown at 3 p.m. On Sunday, they host Martin Luther (Minn.) for a 2 p.m. start.
“We’ve just talked about looking at things that we feel we can improve upon and emphasive those things in practice so hopefully they can carry over in game situations. We’re excited to get home and play in front of a crowd. We’re just taking things one day at a time, one game at a time so hopefully things continue to roll for us,” Kehe said.