Knop signs with John A. Logan

Cobden High School's DaCota Knop signed a letter of intent last Friday to play softball at John A. Logan College near Carterville this fall.

"We've lost three pitchers to graduation and she can help fill the void," said John A. Logan assistant coach Angie Jilek, who was at the signing. "We're losing two first basemen and she can play first, too."

Angie's husband is John A. Logan head softball coach Bruce Jilek.

Knop, a two-year starting pitcher for the two-time Class 1A state championship Cobden squad, had a 13-3 pitching record with one save last spring.

She struck out 130 batters and had a 0.70 ERA. She allowed 68 hits and had 25 walks in 119.23 innings pitched.

Knop had a .363 batting average with 102 plate appearances.

She had 10 doubles with 27 RBIs and had a slugging percentage of .461.

"If she can prove she can hit at the junior college level, she'll be helping us out there as well," Jilek said.

"She should be able to continue right out of the gate," Cobden softball coach Nathan Emrick said.

"She's got a good chance to be real successful at that level and higher."