Lady Leps Ig-Knight Offense in 26-3 Win Against Hoban
SOFTBALL
Louisville 26, Hoban 3, 5 Innings
On the day in which a royal wedding was taking place overseas, it was only fitting that the reigning Queens of Stark County Softball would take on the Knights of Akron Hoban. Desi Givens, Jordan Monnot, and Chandler Rice all homered and the Lady Leopards pounded out 28 hits in a 26-3 slaughtering of those Knights Friday evening. Louisville scored eight runs in the first inning, and eclipsed that with a ten run second inning. Givens, Emily Isla, and Brittany Flanigan all had four hits for the Leps and pitcher Gianna Falcone remained undefeated at 5-0 on the year.
After building a double digit cushion, Louisville went yard. In the second inning, Givens clanked her county-leading fifth home run of the season off a car parked beyond the right field fence. In the next inning, Rice hit a three-run homer and Monnot followed her with a solo shot for back-to-back jacks. The home run was Rice’s fourth of the season and Monnot’s third on the year. The Lady Leps now have 16 home runs in 16 games, with ten regular season games remaining. At this point, the Leopards are more than halfway to the state record for team homers in a single season, which was set by West-Liberty Salem with 31 last season. Louisville matches their pace though, as West-Liberty Salem played 31 games last season before losing in the Division III title game to Hillsdale. Even if the Leopards can’t quite reach the state mark, they are closing in on two other team home run records. Hudson holds the Division I record for homers in a season with 24 in 2009 and East Canton holds the Stark County record with 19, which they set last season.
The 23-run win is the Lady Leopards largest margin of victory since 1997 when they beat Canton Timken 23-0.
BOX SCORE:
LEOPARDS 26, KNIGHTs 3, 5 Innings
Hoban 010 02 — 3 6 6
Louisville 8(10)6 20 — 26 28 0
PITCHING: Morris and Rupe. Falcone and Isla. WP—Falcone 5-0. LP—Morris. HITTING: HRs—Louisville: Givens (5), Rice (4), Monnot (3).
Records—Louisville 15-1.
NEXT UP: The Lady Leps return to conference action when they host Canton South on Tuesday, May 3 at 4:30 PM. JV will face the Wildcats during the same time.
FROM THE AUTHOR’S DESK
I apologize for not having pictures and video of the Leopards games for much of this past week. I have been finishing up my final semester of college with schoolwork and classes, which have limited my availability. I have also been under the weather as well as in fear of the weather and thus haven’t made the drive from Akron to Louisville with the rising gas costs. Yesterday I was attending my college’s softball doubleheader against arch-rival Kent State as well. It was Akron’s first win at Kent since 1998 and I am definitely glad I didn’t miss it. Next week will be exam week and graduation from U of A for me, and following that I should be more free to cover the Leps for the remainder of their regular seasons and on into the state tournament! Ironically though, Akron is the place I hope to be returning to at the end of May and beginning of June to cover the Lady Leps… (Regionals – University of Akron, State – Firestone)
