MONTICELLO - New Glarus senior Aaron Nimtz doesn't focus on what kind of pitch he sees at the plate.
Nimtz crushed a three-run homer to left center field to spark a 12-run second inning in helping the Knights crush Monticello 22-1 in a non-conference baseball game Monday.
"I thought I put a pretty good swing on that one," said Nimtz, who was 3-for-4 with a home run and five RBIs. "I was hoping that one would go. I don't pay attention to the pitch. I just try to see and hit the ball the best I can. I think if we keep up this pace, we will be pretty tough to stop."
New Glarus (1-2) set a blistering pace, batting around the order in a five-run first and a 12-run second off Monticello sophomore starting pitcher Shane Miller, who was making his first varsity start.
The Knights pounded out 19 hits and were 10-for-23 with runners in scoring position. The Knights' Nos. 6-9 hitters were a combined 10-for-17. Senior Bryce Anderson was 3-for-4 with three RBIs and sophomore Tyler Molencamp was 3-for-5 with two RBIs.
"It really was a team effort," New Glarus coach Warren Howard said. "Everyone contributed. The whole team hit. We gained the confidence to get better. We hope this kicks into next week."
Monticello (0-2) was playing without four starters - including ace pitcher Lukas Kolasch - who were on a band trip to Memphis, Tenn. The four starters are expected back today and likely will be in the lineup against Belleville tonight.
"The score obviously isn't the most favorable," Monticello coach Jason Pinnow said. "At the same time, we are actually not too disappointed. They didn't hang their heads and just didn't feel sorry for themselves. They know it will get better (today) hopefully."
The Knights got off to a quick start when junior Spencer Jones lined a single to left. Jones, who was 3-for-5 with four runs scored, scored the first run on Nimtz's fielder's choice. New Glarus sophomore Kyle Larson came through with an RBI single to right later in the inning to give the Knights a 3-0 lead. Anderson lined an RBI double to left and T.J. Duerst delivered an RBI single to give the Knights a 5-0 lead.
Jones set the table for a big second inning with a leadoff single up the middle. Two batters later, Nimtz hit his second home run of the season - a three-run shot. Anderson and Duerst delivered RBI singles to give the Knights a 10-0 lead. Molencamp blooped a two-run double to right and Gabe Noyce and Evan Hauge had RBI singles to give the Knights a 14-0 lead.
Hauge pitched three innings and gave up one run on five hits. He struck out three and didn't issue a walk. Larson and Molencamp each pitched one inning of shutout relief.
"We are looking for big things from him (Hauge)," Howard said. "He has to lead the team pitching."
The Ponies committed three of their five errors in the third. Pinnow was encouraged by Miller's first start.
"Shane went from never pitching in a varsity game to pitching and starting," Pinnow said. "He threw strikes. He didn't walk anyone. That's all you can ask for from a sophomore. He gained some valuable varsity experience. I won't be afraid to use him in a doubleheader."
Monticello senior Austin Steffen and sophomore Josh Kolasch each went 2-for-2.
"The guys we expected to hit at the top of the lineup hit the ball," Pinnow said.
Nimtz crushed a three-run homer to left center field to spark a 12-run second inning in helping the Knights crush Monticello 22-1 in a non-conference baseball game Monday.
"I thought I put a pretty good swing on that one," said Nimtz, who was 3-for-4 with a home run and five RBIs. "I was hoping that one would go. I don't pay attention to the pitch. I just try to see and hit the ball the best I can. I think if we keep up this pace, we will be pretty tough to stop."
New Glarus (1-2) set a blistering pace, batting around the order in a five-run first and a 12-run second off Monticello sophomore starting pitcher Shane Miller, who was making his first varsity start.
The Knights pounded out 19 hits and were 10-for-23 with runners in scoring position. The Knights' Nos. 6-9 hitters were a combined 10-for-17. Senior Bryce Anderson was 3-for-4 with three RBIs and sophomore Tyler Molencamp was 3-for-5 with two RBIs.
"It really was a team effort," New Glarus coach Warren Howard said. "Everyone contributed. The whole team hit. We gained the confidence to get better. We hope this kicks into next week."
Monticello (0-2) was playing without four starters - including ace pitcher Lukas Kolasch - who were on a band trip to Memphis, Tenn. The four starters are expected back today and likely will be in the lineup against Belleville tonight.
"The score obviously isn't the most favorable," Monticello coach Jason Pinnow said. "At the same time, we are actually not too disappointed. They didn't hang their heads and just didn't feel sorry for themselves. They know it will get better (today) hopefully."
The Knights got off to a quick start when junior Spencer Jones lined a single to left. Jones, who was 3-for-5 with four runs scored, scored the first run on Nimtz's fielder's choice. New Glarus sophomore Kyle Larson came through with an RBI single to right later in the inning to give the Knights a 3-0 lead. Anderson lined an RBI double to left and T.J. Duerst delivered an RBI single to give the Knights a 5-0 lead.
Jones set the table for a big second inning with a leadoff single up the middle. Two batters later, Nimtz hit his second home run of the season - a three-run shot. Anderson and Duerst delivered RBI singles to give the Knights a 10-0 lead. Molencamp blooped a two-run double to right and Gabe Noyce and Evan Hauge had RBI singles to give the Knights a 14-0 lead.
Hauge pitched three innings and gave up one run on five hits. He struck out three and didn't issue a walk. Larson and Molencamp each pitched one inning of shutout relief.
"We are looking for big things from him (Hauge)," Howard said. "He has to lead the team pitching."
The Ponies committed three of their five errors in the third. Pinnow was encouraged by Miller's first start.
"Shane went from never pitching in a varsity game to pitching and starting," Pinnow said. "He threw strikes. He didn't walk anyone. That's all you can ask for from a sophomore. He gained some valuable varsity experience. I won't be afraid to use him in a doubleheader."
Monticello senior Austin Steffen and sophomore Josh Kolasch each went 2-for-2.
"The guys we expected to hit at the top of the lineup hit the ball," Pinnow said.
