BELLEVILLE - With the Six Rivers East Conference title hanging in the balance on Tuesday, the Monticello softball team kept their winning ways in high gear, sweeping a doubleheader against Belleville on Monday, May 13, including a no-hitter in game one.
Monticello starter Courtney Leuzinger was the star in the first game, tossing a no-hitter over seven innings. She allowed two walks and struck out 12.
"That's actually the best game she's pitched all year," said Monticello coach Duane Garrison. "She got ahead in the count, and our defense played well behind her."
Jordyn Kubly and Jordan Garrison each had three hits in game one, and Garrison drove in two runs. Clare Geitzel had a two-hit game, and Sam Devoe drove in two runs.
Game two was a lot closer than the first, with Monticello rallying for two runs in the bottom of the seventh. Leuzinger capped her day with the game-winning hit. Leuzinger, Kubly and Devoe each had two hits.
The Ponies loaded the bases in the inning and had back-to-back singles to end the game. It was just one of several last-inning wins for the Ponies this year.
"We couldn't have been in a better situation in our lineup," Duane Garrison said, adding that his team seems relaxed in close games. "They proved it again tonight. It gives the coach gray hairs. They don't press, I'll give them credit for that."
Claire Bruns got the win in game two. She pitched seven innings and gave up four runs on six hits while walking four and striking out nine.
With the late-inning heroics (and stress), Duane Garrison is glad he has two strong pitchers he can rely on to keep them in games.
"It makes me look good, I'll tell you that," Duane Garrison joked. "They've done a heck of a job. They make our team go."
If Monday's no-hitter and walkoff win weren't exciting enough, the fate of the Six Rivers East title rests on two games on Tuesday.
Monticello is currently tied with Barneveld atop the conference standings. The Ponies (18-3, 7-1 Six Rivers East) will wrap up their conference schedule at Black Hawk, while Barneveld will play host to Argyle.
Monticello will have to beat Black Hawk to clinch at least a share of the conference title, but Duane Garrison admits he'll be interested to see how Argyle fares against the Eagles.
"I'd like to have someone go to the game and text me the scores," he joked, "but we gotta take care of our business first ... and hope for Argyle."
Monticello last won a conference title in 2006, and Duane Garrison said a title this year would be especially significant considering his team's relative youth.
"It'd be a lot to our program," he said. "We are a young team and to win it with this year would make the (next) couple years look good."
Brodhead 13, Palmyra-Eagle 4
PALMYRA - The Cardinals traded blows with Palmyra-Eagle for four innings, before breaking the game open with a six-run fifth en route to the conference win.
Brodhead opened the scoring in the top of the first inning, scoring four runs off Palmyra-Eagle starter Alexa Roscizewski. However, the Panthers answered with three runs in the bottom of the inning to stay close.
The Cardinals added another run in the third, and Palmyra-Eagle answered again with one in the fourth.
In the top of the fifth inning, holding on to a one-run lead, the Cardinals plated six to put the game out of reach and added two more before closing out the win.
Brodhead starter Amanda Pickel got credited with win. Pickel pitched seven innings and gave up four runs on six hits, while walking two and striking out six. Roscizewski took the loss, pitching seven innings. She gave up 13 runs on 18 hits while walking five and striking out four.
Five Cardinal hitters collected two or more hits. Pickel, Payton Wright and Kylie Moe each had three hits. Wright had a double and a home run, and Moe had two doubles.
Erin Kloepping and Taurie Burns each had two hits, with Burns notching a double. Tabby Harnack also chipped in with a double.
Brodhead will take on Beloit Turner on Tuesday, May 14.
In other action, Mineral Point defeated Darlington 10-2 and Marshall beat New Glarus 20-0.
Monticello starter Courtney Leuzinger was the star in the first game, tossing a no-hitter over seven innings. She allowed two walks and struck out 12.
"That's actually the best game she's pitched all year," said Monticello coach Duane Garrison. "She got ahead in the count, and our defense played well behind her."
Jordyn Kubly and Jordan Garrison each had three hits in game one, and Garrison drove in two runs. Clare Geitzel had a two-hit game, and Sam Devoe drove in two runs.
Game two was a lot closer than the first, with Monticello rallying for two runs in the bottom of the seventh. Leuzinger capped her day with the game-winning hit. Leuzinger, Kubly and Devoe each had two hits.
The Ponies loaded the bases in the inning and had back-to-back singles to end the game. It was just one of several last-inning wins for the Ponies this year.
"We couldn't have been in a better situation in our lineup," Duane Garrison said, adding that his team seems relaxed in close games. "They proved it again tonight. It gives the coach gray hairs. They don't press, I'll give them credit for that."
Claire Bruns got the win in game two. She pitched seven innings and gave up four runs on six hits while walking four and striking out nine.
With the late-inning heroics (and stress), Duane Garrison is glad he has two strong pitchers he can rely on to keep them in games.
"It makes me look good, I'll tell you that," Duane Garrison joked. "They've done a heck of a job. They make our team go."
If Monday's no-hitter and walkoff win weren't exciting enough, the fate of the Six Rivers East title rests on two games on Tuesday.
Monticello is currently tied with Barneveld atop the conference standings. The Ponies (18-3, 7-1 Six Rivers East) will wrap up their conference schedule at Black Hawk, while Barneveld will play host to Argyle.
Monticello will have to beat Black Hawk to clinch at least a share of the conference title, but Duane Garrison admits he'll be interested to see how Argyle fares against the Eagles.
"I'd like to have someone go to the game and text me the scores," he joked, "but we gotta take care of our business first ... and hope for Argyle."
Monticello last won a conference title in 2006, and Duane Garrison said a title this year would be especially significant considering his team's relative youth.
"It'd be a lot to our program," he said. "We are a young team and to win it with this year would make the (next) couple years look good."
Brodhead 13, Palmyra-Eagle 4
PALMYRA - The Cardinals traded blows with Palmyra-Eagle for four innings, before breaking the game open with a six-run fifth en route to the conference win.
Brodhead opened the scoring in the top of the first inning, scoring four runs off Palmyra-Eagle starter Alexa Roscizewski. However, the Panthers answered with three runs in the bottom of the inning to stay close.
The Cardinals added another run in the third, and Palmyra-Eagle answered again with one in the fourth.
In the top of the fifth inning, holding on to a one-run lead, the Cardinals plated six to put the game out of reach and added two more before closing out the win.
Brodhead starter Amanda Pickel got credited with win. Pickel pitched seven innings and gave up four runs on six hits, while walking two and striking out six. Roscizewski took the loss, pitching seven innings. She gave up 13 runs on 18 hits while walking five and striking out four.
Five Cardinal hitters collected two or more hits. Pickel, Payton Wright and Kylie Moe each had three hits. Wright had a double and a home run, and Moe had two doubles.
Erin Kloepping and Taurie Burns each had two hits, with Burns notching a double. Tabby Harnack also chipped in with a double.
Brodhead will take on Beloit Turner on Tuesday, May 14.
In other action, Mineral Point defeated Darlington 10-2 and Marshall beat New Glarus 20-0.
