Monmouth opened defense of their Midwest Conference title taking both ends of the league-opening doubleheader with Knox, winning 4-2 and 17-7.
 
Tyler McDonald fanned 15 in the opener and got all the run support he would need in the first inning. Jake Starkey raced home from third on Harry Sanchez' flyout before Mike Dato launched a two-run homer in the three-run first. Knox put the first two on in their half of the inning, plating both, but McDonald would not allow another run in eight innings of work. Alex Sheetz came on in the ninth to close out the game with his fourth save of the season.
 
A nine-run fourth was all the Scots needed in the late game for an 11-0 lead, but tacked on six runs later to end the game via the mercy run after seven innings. Matt Temaner supplied the big blow in the fourth, driving in three with a bases loaded triple. They were his fourth RBIs in the inning after driving in a run the first time through the order. Knox countered with a six-run sixth to cut Monmouth's lead to 12-7. The Scots put the game away with five runs in the seventh, the second inning in the game in which they batted around. Conner Sharp picked up his team-leading third win, working 5-2/3innings, and scattering seven hits.
 
Monmouth and Knox complete their series Monday at noon at Monmouth's Glasgow Field.