MONTICELLO - Monticello's softball team began the season as contenders for a conference crown, while Albany came in as the Six Rivers East's most inexperienced team.
But on Thursday, Albany gave the Ponies everything they had before Monticello prevailed, 11-6.
"I told our girls that Albany has scored one run all year, and we've scored just two," Monticello head coach Duane Garrison said. "Albany is going to be a decent team by the end of the year."
Monticello didn't start workhorse and all-conference pitcher Mary Hershberger, and Albany put four runs on the board in the first inning. Monticello committed four errors in the first five at-bats.
"When they scored four, I think that woke us up a little bit. I switched everybody back to their normal positions," Garrison said.
Hershberger took over on the mound with one out in the first, and Albany gave another scare as KayLee Johnson reached on a error to first base. Hershberger struck out Abby Kauk and Trisha Tourdot.
"Four-nothing we were winning," Comets head coach Connie Wunschel said. "We went seven innings and we scored six (runs). I'm just really happy with how we played."
But Monticello didn't trail for long.
The Ponies scored twice in the bottom of the first inning. Defensive gems by Albany's Katie Sutherland and Johnson kept Monticello from scoring more.
After Albany was shut down in the second inning, Monticello took charge.
The Ponies had five hits, two walks and were hit by two pitches in the inning, scoring eight runs to take a commanding 10-4 lead.
Two plays in the inning could have changed the momentum of the game. With bases loaded, Sadi Hilliard hit a grounder to the shortstop, but instead of being forced out at the plate, Olivia Doyle was safe because catcher Kaitlyn Schultz's foot was not on the plate.
The second play came when Desiree Marty walked with a runner on third. Marty dashed to first, rounded the bag and took second in a close play. Despite what looked to be the second out of the inning, Marty was called safe. The relay throw back home to get the lead runner was errant, and Marty continued to third. She scored just pitches later when Tanya Smith singled to center.
"A few calls, a few pitches. It was a good game and a lot closer than it looked," Wunschel said. "Our pitching was pretty solid."
Clare Koopmans started the game on the hill for the Comets and was replaced by freshman Katie Krupke, who Wunschel said likely will be the new starter.
The Ponies tacked on one more run in the third. Albany, though keeping the game interesting, could only score a run in each of the fifth and seventh innings.
"Every day we're working hard and getting better," Wunschel said.
Garrison complimented junior Olivia Doyle (2-for-3, hit by pitch) on a good game, as well as Hilliard (2-for-3), Marty (1-for-2, 2 walks) and Hershberger, who allowed just three hits and three walks in 6 2/3 innings of pitching. Megan Farley (2-3) reached base three times for the Comets and Jill McNeely (1-3) also was on three times.
Albany hosts Juda on Tuesday, April 21. Monticello is entering a stretch during which the Ponies will play nine games in nine days. Tonight they play New Glarus, then play three games Saturday in the Juda Tournament.
"Mary doesn't want to be taken out of any game. I love that in a player, but we don't want to wear our horse out either," Garrison said.
But on Thursday, Albany gave the Ponies everything they had before Monticello prevailed, 11-6.
"I told our girls that Albany has scored one run all year, and we've scored just two," Monticello head coach Duane Garrison said. "Albany is going to be a decent team by the end of the year."
Monticello didn't start workhorse and all-conference pitcher Mary Hershberger, and Albany put four runs on the board in the first inning. Monticello committed four errors in the first five at-bats.
"When they scored four, I think that woke us up a little bit. I switched everybody back to their normal positions," Garrison said.
Hershberger took over on the mound with one out in the first, and Albany gave another scare as KayLee Johnson reached on a error to first base. Hershberger struck out Abby Kauk and Trisha Tourdot.
"Four-nothing we were winning," Comets head coach Connie Wunschel said. "We went seven innings and we scored six (runs). I'm just really happy with how we played."
But Monticello didn't trail for long.
The Ponies scored twice in the bottom of the first inning. Defensive gems by Albany's Katie Sutherland and Johnson kept Monticello from scoring more.
After Albany was shut down in the second inning, Monticello took charge.
The Ponies had five hits, two walks and were hit by two pitches in the inning, scoring eight runs to take a commanding 10-4 lead.
Two plays in the inning could have changed the momentum of the game. With bases loaded, Sadi Hilliard hit a grounder to the shortstop, but instead of being forced out at the plate, Olivia Doyle was safe because catcher Kaitlyn Schultz's foot was not on the plate.
The second play came when Desiree Marty walked with a runner on third. Marty dashed to first, rounded the bag and took second in a close play. Despite what looked to be the second out of the inning, Marty was called safe. The relay throw back home to get the lead runner was errant, and Marty continued to third. She scored just pitches later when Tanya Smith singled to center.
"A few calls, a few pitches. It was a good game and a lot closer than it looked," Wunschel said. "Our pitching was pretty solid."
Clare Koopmans started the game on the hill for the Comets and was replaced by freshman Katie Krupke, who Wunschel said likely will be the new starter.
The Ponies tacked on one more run in the third. Albany, though keeping the game interesting, could only score a run in each of the fifth and seventh innings.
"Every day we're working hard and getting better," Wunschel said.
Garrison complimented junior Olivia Doyle (2-for-3, hit by pitch) on a good game, as well as Hilliard (2-for-3), Marty (1-for-2, 2 walks) and Hershberger, who allowed just three hits and three walks in 6 2/3 innings of pitching. Megan Farley (2-3) reached base three times for the Comets and Jill McNeely (1-3) also was on three times.
Albany hosts Juda on Tuesday, April 21. Monticello is entering a stretch during which the Ponies will play nine games in nine days. Tonight they play New Glarus, then play three games Saturday in the Juda Tournament.
"Mary doesn't want to be taken out of any game. I love that in a player, but we don't want to wear our horse out either," Garrison said.
