JEFFERSON TWP — The Knoch softball isn't afraid to be aggressive, whether while hitting or on the basepaths.

The Knights had a pair of runners thrown out at home and another caught stealing at third in Thursday's game against Highlands, but used a two-run double by Jade Thrower and a two-run home run by Zoe Hughes to post a 5-1 Section 5-AAA victory at Laura Doerr Park.

"I think this team lives and dies by long hits," said Knoch coach Scott Docherty.

Technically, Knoch had three runners nailed at home.

Hughes belted what would have beena three-run homer in the sixth inning, but the second runner, Crystal Rafalko, was ruled out when she missed the plate, then went back to touch it after Hughes already had scored.

Still, the Knights were happy to come away with the win.

"It's just time to get on a roll," said Hughes. "We wanted to get out and get that first game in. ... It's been a lot of practices inside.

"It feels great," said Thrower. "I love being out here. It's definitely a great start. Without a win (Thursday), you'd already be down and some teams already have a couple of wins.

"You don't want to fall behind early," Thrower added.

Knoch scored the first run of the game when Amanda Sheppeck was hit by a pitch to open the second inning and moved to second with two outs on a fielder's choice. Rams pitcher Sidney Grabigel uncorked two wild pitches that brought home Sheppeck.

Knoch pitcher Chelsea Martin avoided danger early when she allowed consecutive singles to Courtney Kordes and Janelle Mosovsky to begin the second inning, but used a pair of strikeouts to quell the rally.

In the third, the Rams had runners at first and third and no outs when Stephanie Stobert hit a liner caught by Knights second baseman Michelle Steinmiller, who doubled off the runner at first.

Martin then struck out Kristen Klein to end the inning.

The Knights had their problems as well.

In the third inning, Knoch courtesy runner Taylor Smith tried to score from second on a hard grounder to shortstop Klein, who couldn't pull in the ball but was able to chase it down and throw a strike to home plate to get Smith.

In the fourth, Justine Rich opened with a double but was thrown out trying to steal third base.

In the fifth inning, the Knights plated two runs to take a 3-0 lead.

Hughes opened with a double, but was thrown out trying to score on a single by Martin. Following a walk to Kristen Brant, Thrower lined a double to the left-center field wall.

Hughes came up big on defense in the top of the sixth.

With one out and a runner on first, Kordes smacked a deep drive to center field. Hughes ran back, turned and made the catch, then doubled up Stein at first. Thrower stretched out to catch the ball on the fly.

Hughes' home run in the home half of the sixth made it 5-0 before the Rams closed out the scoring in the seventh on an RBI double by Brown.

Martin finished the game with seven strikeouts and three walks, scattering five hits along the way.

"She calmly just threw strikes," said Hughes.

Highlands 000 000 1—1 5 0Knoch 010 022 x—5 8 1W: Chelsea Martin 7 IP (7 K, 3 BB).

L: Sidney Grabigel 6 IP (6 K, 6 BB).

Highlands (0-1, 0-1): Courtney Kordes 2-1B; Chelsie Brown RBI2B; Janelle Mosovsky 1B; Brittany Cassoni 1B

Knoch (1-0, 1-0): Zoe Hughes 2B, HR, 2 RBI; Jade Thrower 1B, 2B, 2 RBI; Justine Rich 2B; Chelsea Martin 1B; Michelle Steinmiller 1B; Ashley Antoszyk 1B

Today: Deer Lakes at Knoch