JEFFERSON TWP — It wasn’t the perfect game. But it was close.

Marlee Fraser tossed a one-hitter, Knoch fielded the ball flawlessly and collected 12 hits in posting a 10-0, five-inning WPIAL Section 1-4A softball victory over Freeport on Wednesday afternoon at Laura Doerr Park.

Every batter in the Knights’ lineup either hit safely, collected an RBI or scored a run. None struck out.

Related Article: PIAA softball season preview 2026: Meet the top 9 players to watch in Butler County

Fraser, a senior, threw only 60 pitches and went to a three-ball count on only one hitter. After allowing a two-out single to Freeport’s Addyson Caruso in the first inning, she retired the final 13 hitters she faced.

“I didn’t have my best stuff last time I pitched and walked a few hitters,” Fraser said. “I was locked in today and wanted to stay locked in. But it does make it easier when your team is scoring runs like we did today.”

Knoch (5-2, 4-1) scored two runs in every inning.

“We talked before the game ... our strategy today was to go right at them,” Knoch coach Chris Gardner said of his pitcher. “Marlee was throwing nothing but strikes. She got ahead of hitters, and our defense was strong behind her.”

Fraser struck out seven on the day.

Gardner said Emersyn Jones and Kaila Purcell also see time in the pitching circle for the Knights.

“We have a luxury there,” the coach said. “All three get their turn, and they’re all effective. Marlee was on her game today.”

Knoch’s bats were on the ball — quite often.

Related Article: How Emersyn Jones is clearing fences, propelling Knoch softball as sophomore

Jones collected four singles in four at-bats. She has 13 hits in 20 at-bats on the season — a .650 average — with four home runs. The sophomore entered Wednesday’s game with those homers, three doubles and a triple among her first nine hits of the campaign.

She batted over .500 with 10 home runs as a freshman last spring.

“I practice my hitting a lot. I love it,” Emersyn said. “With Alena (Tekely) hitting behind me, I know she’ll knock me in when I get on base. If I don’t get on base, I know she will.”

Tekely had two hits and three RBIs Wednesday, including her first home run of the season, a two-run shot well over the center-field fence in the fourth inning.

“Alena protects Emerysn in our lineup,” Gardner said. “With her being on deck, Emersyn usually gets good pitches to hit. She (Jones) is a special girl. She settled for singles today, but she always hits the ball hard.”

Knoch’s first four hitters in the lineup — Lizzie Danik, Lindsey Wise, McKenna Jones and Tekely — combined to collect nine hits in 13 at-bats, eight RBIs and five runs.

“I like our team a lot,” Emersyn said. “We got knocked out in the second round of the playoffs last year. I think we can go on a deep run this year.”

Fraser agreed.

“We’re capable of playing for the WPIAL championship and contending in states,” she said. “It’s up to us to make that happen.”

Related Article: Butler County’s boys basketball 2026 all-stars: Knoch’s Teegan Finucan POTY, first team, more

Freeport (5-5, 2-3) has everybody back from last season. The Yellowjackets defeated Valley 10-0 Tuesday before losing by that score the next day.

“You hate to lose this way, but it happens,” Freeport coach Ron DeJidas said. “We had some good at-bats today, hit some balls hard and they made the plays against us. We need to make plays on hard-hit balls, as well.

“Our goal is always to compete hard in the next game. Just keep getting better. We’re not even halfway through the season yet. There’s a long way to go.”

Freeport 000 00 — 0 1 0

Knoch 222 22 — 10 12 0

WP: Marlee Fraser (7so, 0bb). LP: Mady Bell 2IP (0so, 1bb).

Freeport (5-5, 2-3): Addyson Caruso 1B.

Knoch (5-2, 4-1): Lizzie Danik 2-1B RBI, Lindsey Wise 1B 2-RBI, Emersyn Jones 4-1B 2-RBIs 2-R, Alena Tekely 1B HR 3-RBIs, Marlee Fraser RBI, McKenna Jones 1B RBI, Kaila Purcell 2B, Olyvian Foster 1B.

Friday: Indiana at Freeport, Knoch at Derry

Correction: This story was updated at 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, 2026, to reflect Emersyn Jones’ correct batting average of .650.