MONTICELLO - In the midst of a stretch of eight games in seven days, the Monticello girls softball team got out front early against Black Hawk, ultimately defeating the Warriors 10-0 in five innings.
The first four Monticello hitters that went to the plate in the bottom of the first inning collected hits. The Ponies batted around in the inning and scored five runs.
"We came out hitting," Monticello coach Duane Garrison said. "That kind of set the tone right away. The first inning we hit the ball hard."
The Ponies held Black Hawk scoreless the rest of the way, while padding their lead with two runs in the second inning and one in each of the third, fourth and fifth.
Marissa Berg led the Ponies offensively, finishing the day with a 3-for-3 performance at the plate including two runs batted in. Jordan Garrison and Clare Geitzel each went 2-for-4. Five Ponies finished with one RBI, including Jordan Garrison, Sam Devoe, Courtney Luchsinger, Alyssa Kubly and Broeckin Klosterman.
Pitcher Claire Bruns went the distance for Monticello, allowing just two hits while striking out four and walking one.
"(Claire) fooled them pretty good I thought," Duane Garrison said. "The two hits they had were right up the middle on her."
Black Hawk's Abby Schiferl took the loss. She pitched five innings and gave up 10 runs on 12 hits while walking two and striking out one.
Schiferl and Wellnitz got Black Hawk's only two hits.
Monticello (13-3, 8-1 Six Rivers East) and Black Hawk will have an immediate rematch Thursday, May 9, when they play in South Wayne.
For Monticello, Thursday's game is just one of a stretch of eight games in seven days that started on Tuesday, May 7.
While Duane Garrison admitted his players probably prefer the games over practice, he said he would like to have some time in between.
"No one likes to practice. They'd rather play the games," he said. "As a coach I'd like to see a practice in between the games."
That said, Duane Garrison said the rapid pace of their schedule has allowed him to give several bench players some playing time while giving him a feel of his team's depth.
"I've got some girls in to get some playing time," he said. "I've got a good feel (of our depth)."
The first four Monticello hitters that went to the plate in the bottom of the first inning collected hits. The Ponies batted around in the inning and scored five runs.
"We came out hitting," Monticello coach Duane Garrison said. "That kind of set the tone right away. The first inning we hit the ball hard."
The Ponies held Black Hawk scoreless the rest of the way, while padding their lead with two runs in the second inning and one in each of the third, fourth and fifth.
Marissa Berg led the Ponies offensively, finishing the day with a 3-for-3 performance at the plate including two runs batted in. Jordan Garrison and Clare Geitzel each went 2-for-4. Five Ponies finished with one RBI, including Jordan Garrison, Sam Devoe, Courtney Luchsinger, Alyssa Kubly and Broeckin Klosterman.
Pitcher Claire Bruns went the distance for Monticello, allowing just two hits while striking out four and walking one.
"(Claire) fooled them pretty good I thought," Duane Garrison said. "The two hits they had were right up the middle on her."
Black Hawk's Abby Schiferl took the loss. She pitched five innings and gave up 10 runs on 12 hits while walking two and striking out one.
Schiferl and Wellnitz got Black Hawk's only two hits.
Monticello (13-3, 8-1 Six Rivers East) and Black Hawk will have an immediate rematch Thursday, May 9, when they play in South Wayne.
For Monticello, Thursday's game is just one of a stretch of eight games in seven days that started on Tuesday, May 7.
While Duane Garrison admitted his players probably prefer the games over practice, he said he would like to have some time in between.
"No one likes to practice. They'd rather play the games," he said. "As a coach I'd like to see a practice in between the games."
That said, Duane Garrison said the rapid pace of their schedule has allowed him to give several bench players some playing time while giving him a feel of his team's depth.
"I've got some girls in to get some playing time," he said. "I've got a good feel (of our depth)."
