MONTICELLO — Despite scoring the first run of the game, the Ponies fell to Division 5 No. 4-ranked Highland 10-2 on Thursday, April 20.
In its last five games, Monticello-New Glarus has played three ranked teams — No. 4 Highland, No. 5 Belmont and No. 10 Juda-Albany — and has avoided the mercy-rule in each game.
“One of our goals this season is to simply be competitive in all games from the start to the finish, and not be mercy ruled by any opponents,” MNG head coach Mitch Cernek said. “Our girls have dug in and competed a ton early this season. We are striking out less and walking more. Our pitchers are throwing more strikes. We are making more routine plays in the field.”
After a quick top of the first, where starting pitcher Molly Olson induced two groundouts and a flyout, the Ponies went to work in the bottom half of the frame.
Melanie Fink, who has the third highest on-base percentage on the team, reached on an error. Olson then drew a full-count walk after fouling off three pitches. Three-hole hitter Dalana Trumpy loaded the bases with a single to center, setting the stage for Grace Seffrood. She came through with a sacrifice fly that scored Fink.
“We wanted to put a little pressure on Highland and frustrate them in the first few innings, knowing that we were the underdogs in that game,” Cernek said. “We were proud of the way our girls came out and took the lead early.”
Highland nickel and dimed its way back into the game, scoring one run in each of the next five innings. The Cardinals then broke the game open with a five-run top of the seventh. They scored on five hits and one error.
Monticello-New Glarus responded in the bottom half of the frame with an RBI single from Trumpy, but the rally was not enough to overcome Highland.
Sadie Wilkins finished 2-for-3 at the plate with the only extra-base hit. Trumpy also recorded two hits, going 2-for-4 with an RBI. Olson suffered the loss, throwing five innings of three-hit ball. Kira Whisler pitched the final two innings, giving up one earned run on six hits.
