MORRIS, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Morris opened up their Martin Luther College series with a shutout. The Cougars held the Knights to zero runs and hits while accumulating 11 runs and 15 hits. The series will continue tomorrow (Apr. 3) with game one scheduled for a 12:30 pm start time. 

The Cougars commanded control of the game early, holding the Knights to a three-batter inning to open the game before scoring two runs of their own in the bottom of the first inning. Another three-batter inning for Martin Luther gave the Cougars room to push their lead to 4-0 in the bottom of the second. A well executed double play from Kendra Schmitz to Jillian Anderson to Taylor Johnson held the Knights to a three-batter inning in the top of the third. A lone run from Malena Mahoney in the third put the Cougars at a five point advantage. Things picked up again for the home team in the bottom of the fourth, starting with a solo shot from Anderson. The final five runs of the game came in quick succession for the Cougars and a three-batter inning put the game to rest with Minnesota Morris leading 11-0. 

Sierra Stevens and Anderson both went 3-4 at the plate and picked up one run each. Schmitz and Mahoney each earned two hits in their three at-bats on the day. Stevens and Courtney Smith each added two stolen bases to the team's offensive stats. Alyssa Thornton pitched five innings for the Cougars and totaled up six strikeouts, six flyouts, and two groundouts.