MONTICELLO — After its 3-2 win over Black Hawk on Tuesday, May 16, Monticello-Albany upset Argyle 9-4 on Thursday, May 18. With four victories on the season, the Ponies set a new program record for wins.
The two teams headed into the sixth inning tied at three before Monticello-Albany scored six runs in the bottom of the sixth. Leon Parker, Nate Stokstad and Tyler Patchen hit three straight singles for two runs. With a hit by pitch, relief pitcher Thomas Nelson loaded the bases.
Brayden Bakken drew a four-pitch walk, collecting an RBI. Dominic Schroeder scored on a wild pitch, and Cody Pryce hit a two-out single to left.
Parker and Patchen each went 2-for-3 at the plate, while Pryce drove in a team-best two RBIs. Bakken collected the win, throwing six innings of four-hit ball. He struck out eight and walked four.
For Argyle, seven of the eight hits came from Ike Waage, Caleb Mckenna and Mason McNett. Despite not collecting a hit, Garrett Phillipson reached base three times via walk. The Orioles used a four-man pitching rotation, starting Will Helfvogt. Thomas Nelson took the loss, giving up four earned runs on six hits.
The Ponies brief run came to an end on Friday, May 19 with a 17-2 loss to Wisconsin Heights. The Vanguards scored 11 runs in the third to run away with the victory.
Monticello-Albany collected four hits from four different batters — Bakken, Pryce, Patchen and Schroeder. Patchen suffered the loss, giving up six earned runs on 10 hits. The Ponies committed four errors.
Argyle faces gauntlet
ARGYLE — The Orioles’ survived a series of make up games, earning a split on Friday, May 19. Argyle began with a 5-4 win over Black Hawk, thanks to a three-run seventh.
Weston Ganshert led off with a single and advanced to third on a ground out and single from Max Godfrey. He came around to score on an error. With two outs, Waage lined an RBI single to left. Nelson scored on the same play, as Riley Mosley misplayed the ball for an error. Black Hawk escaped the inning by throwing out Waage attempting to steal third.
Although the Warriors got two runners on in the bottom of the frame, Godfrey struck out the side to secure the win.
Helfvogt led the offense with two hits and an RBI. Waage collected the win, throwing six innings of four-hit ball. He struck out seven and walked five. Godfrey earned the save.
Black Hawk received five hits from five different batters — Carter Baumgartner, Lane Jenson, Matt Scott Justin Patton and Mosley. Brett Haldiman took the loss, giving up three earned runs in 1 1/3 innings pitched.
Argyle dropped the nightcap to Belmont, 4-0. Mckenna and Nelson recorded the only hits. Godfrey suffered the loss, giving up just one earned run on one hit. He struck out seven and walked four.
Brodhead-Juda dips below .500 with pair of losses
CLINTON — After Clinton fell to Brodhead-Juda 4-3 on Tuesday, May 16, the Cougars returned the favor with an 8-7 victory over the Cardinals on Thursday, May 18. Gavin Wesling lined a two-RBI double to center, scoring Cooper Atkinson and Payton Whalen.
The two teams had gone run for run, except for the Cougars run in the third, which proved to the difference maker.
Gabe Bockhop went 3-for-3 at the plate with three RBIs and two runs scored. He was a single short of the cycle. Aidyn Vondra and Ryan Searls also recorded multiple-hit games. Relief pitcher Kohen Sawle suffered the loss, giving up two earned runs on four hits.
With its 12-1 loss to Edgerton on Friday, May 19, Brodhead-Juda dropped to below .500 on the season. The Cardinals’ lone hit and RBI came from Trent Neeley. Clayton Elliott took the loss, giving up four earned runs on three hits. The remaining eight unearned runs came from seven errors and eight walks.
Pecatonica brings out bats
BLANCHARDVILLE — Every batter recorded a hit in Pecatonica’s 10-0 win over River Ridge on Thursday, May 18. The Vikings used a pair of four-run innings to earn the victory.
Jameson Johnson and Coy Ruegsegger singled and Elijah Knutson walked to load the bases in the third. Max Steele then came through with a two-RBI single. Timberwolve errors allowed the other two runs to score.
In the fourth, Tyler McKeon singled and stole second. He scored on Knutson’s single. Ruegsegger and Carson Kurschner followed with RBI hits of their own for a 9-0 lead.
Ruegsegger led the offense, going 3-for-3 at the plate with two RBIs. Steele also had a standout offensive performance, going 2-for-3 with three RBIs. Ruegsegger, who pitched three innings of relief, picked up the win. He gave up one hit and struck out four.
In other local baseball, Darlington dropped a game to Mineral Point 7-2 on Friday, May 19. The Redbirds finished the conference season 6-8, two games behind the Pointers.
