Games like this are not run without practice and a consistent regiment was the prescription for this and all games, according to Montgomery softball coach Chris Glenn.

“I thought we did really well, hit the ball well, had a great defense, and that’s what we practiced for,” said Glenn. “We prepared for the game pretty much as we do for every game.”

The first inning started exactly how Montgomery wanted with sophomore Jenna Houseknecht in the circle. After a near strike out and a tag out on a failed steal, Houseknecht finished the first inning almost as quickly as it started.

With Montgomery up to bat, the runs started pouring in. Freshman Ramona Kroll capitalized on the opportunity after fellow freshman Brooke Deitrich loaded the bases, hitting with solid power down the right and putting Montgomery up, 4-0.

Jenna Houseknecht (17) of Montgomery pitches against Benton during the first inning in Montgomery. The Montgomery Red Raiders won 21-0. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

That was only the beginning for Montgomery and they proceeded to maximize the value of each girl on bases, earning two more runs before two strikeouts and a pop fly ended the first inning.

Houseknecht returned even stronger for her second stand in the circle, serving two strikeouts before a hit to the right. This showcased Montgomery’s defense in getting it to first base and keeping the first half of the second inning as clean, if not cleaner, than the first.

With Montgomery again at bat, the runs came in fast. By the fourth batter up, bases were loaded and a series of hits between in-fielders funneled the runners right home.

Adding a few steals to boot, Montgomery loaded the bases again, except with ten more runs than they started the inning with. Junior Addison Greger helped pad out their lead even further until the inning ended with Montgomery having scored fifteen times in the second inning.

Junior Arianna Snyder tapped in to pitch for the final inning and did not disappoint, striking out each batter until the call was made and the teams lined up to finish the game, 21-0.

Ramona Kroll (15) of Montgomery doubles against Benton during the first inning in Montgomery. The Montgomery Red Raiders won 21-0. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“We kept hitting the ball, advancing our runners, and doing our job on offense,” Glenn said.

Among other scorers, freshmen Ali Herb and Ramona Kroll displayed particular excellence with two hits and three RBIs each, closely followed with two each from Jenna Houseknecht, Madie Mamm, Zoe Furman, and Madisyn Miller.

“I want to shout the whole team out. We had some girls who wanted to work on things, some goals to meet,” Glenn added. “Several of the girls were working towards some of them and met them tonight. This is a team sport, and today they put in a great attitude and effort.”

The Montgomery girls are headed to Line Mountain Monday and will look to make it three wins out of their last four games. Meanwhile, Benton will welcome Shickshinny in hopes of not repeating a game like Thursday’s.

“We’re not practicing Good Friday. They’re on the road again on Monday, and I just told them to have a good weekend and come back ready to play,” Glenn said. “And they will be, I’m sure, and we’ll just take one game at a time because that’s all we can do.”

Zoe Furman (22) of Montgomery triples in the second inning against Benton in Montgomery. The Montgomery Red Raiders won 21-0. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Montgomery 21, Benton 0

(3 INNINGS)

Benton 000 — 0 1 6

Montgomery 6(15)x — 21 9 0

E. Lockard and L. Carswell. Jenna Houseknecht, Arianna Snyder (3) and B. Dietrich. W: Housekecht. L: Lockard.

Jenna Houseknecht (17) of Montgomery singles against Benton during the first inning in Montgomery. The Montgomery Red Raiders won 21-0. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Top Benton hitters: L. Carswell 1-1. Top Montgomery hitters: A. Herb 2-3, 3 RBIs, 2 runs; Jenna Houseknecht 1-2, 2 RBis, 2 runs; Arianna Snyder 1-1, run; Madisyn Miller 1-2, 2 RBIs, 2 BB, 2 runs; Zoe Furman 1-2, 3B, 2 RBIs, 3 runs, 2 BBs; Brooke Dietrich 3 runs; Amelia Shrimp 1-3, RBI, 2 runs; Ramona Kroll 1-2, 3 RBIs, 2 runs; Madie Hamm 1-3, 2 RBIs, run.

Madisyn Miller of Montgomery tags out Lynzee Carswell of Benton at second base in Montgomery. The Montgomery Red Raiders won 21-0. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette