MONTICELLO - A runner interference non-call played a role in Monticello's comeback 4-3 win over Argyle Thursday, May 2.
With Argyle clinging to a 3-2 lead in the sixth inning, Monticello's Broeckin Klosterman hit a pop up in foul territory that Argyle junior pitcher Jessica Treuthardt looked to be in position to catch. It appeared that Klosterman bumped into Treuthardt running to first base, but the umpire didn't call interference and Klosterman received a second life. She then lined a game-tying RBI single to right field. Monticello sophomore Alyssah Kubly reached on an infield single she hit deep into the hole to Argyle shortstop Kayla Otsby to knock in the game-winning run.
Monticello (11-3, 5-1 Six Rivers East) is now 4-1 in one-run games and has won three straight one-run games this week.
"They say that good teams have to get lucky sometimes," Monticello coach Duane Garrison said. "Maybe that is where we are right now - just a little bit lucky."
Runner interference was also a factor earlier in the game. Monticello sophomore Courtney Leuzinger was called for interference in the third inning when the umpire ruled she ran into Ostby.
"Every play that is controversial, each team would like to have it go their way," Garrison said. "I think we got out on one and we got on with one. It all evened out."
Argyle coach Dan Treuthardt said the popup in the sixth, by the rule book, was interference.
"Whenever you give a team whether it's Monticello or us extra outs it hurts," Dan Treuthardt said. "That is not why we lost the game."
Argyle (8-8, 4-3) went 1-for-9 hitting with runners in scoring position, left nine runners on base and committed four errors.
"We have been hitting the ball pretty good, but we just couldn't get the clutch hit," Dan Treuthardt said. "I think if we take away a few errors we would have won."
Kubly was excited to deliver the game-winning hit.
"It felt good to get the RBI to get the win," Kubly said. "I just thank God that my teammates were able to get on for me. It's a really big win. (Argyle) upset us last year. They upset us in basketball and volleyball. We seem to always come out a little flat and then come back together to get the win."
Leuzinger went 2-for-3 to lead the Ponies. Klosterman, who went 2-for-3 with two RBI, was happy to come through with a game-tying hit after fouling off several pitches from Treuthardt.
"It's just timing," Klosterman said. "(Treuthardt) is a very good pitcher. Once you get that timing, you can just hit away. That was a huge win for us."
Early on, it was the Orioles that forced the issue on the bases. Argyle sophomore Jenna Langmeier, who went 2-for-4 with two doubles, crushed a double to center in the first off Monticello starting pitcher Claire Bruns. Argyle's Rachel Tollakson reached on a fielder's choice. Ostby then lined a two-run single to left. The ball got away and she raced home to stake the Orioles to a 3-0 lead.
The Ponies chipped away at the Orioles' lead. Leuzinger singled to center in the second. Monticello senior Jordyn Kubly moved her into scoring position. Klosterman drove in a run with a sacrifice fly to cut the Orioles' lead to 3-1. The Orioles committed two errors in the third and it led to one unearned run for the Ponies.
Bruns gave up three runs on six hits. She struck out three, walked two and hit two. After giving up three runs in the first, Bruns shut the Orioles down. The Ponies committed four errors and Clare Geitzel was thrown out at home in the fourth. Bruns pitched out of a two-on, one out jam in the fifth by striking out Treuthardt and Hannah Saalsaa.
"She has been a rock for us this year," Garrison said of Bruns. "That's why she is the No. 1 pitcher."
With Argyle clinging to a 3-2 lead in the sixth inning, Monticello's Broeckin Klosterman hit a pop up in foul territory that Argyle junior pitcher Jessica Treuthardt looked to be in position to catch. It appeared that Klosterman bumped into Treuthardt running to first base, but the umpire didn't call interference and Klosterman received a second life. She then lined a game-tying RBI single to right field. Monticello sophomore Alyssah Kubly reached on an infield single she hit deep into the hole to Argyle shortstop Kayla Otsby to knock in the game-winning run.
Monticello (11-3, 5-1 Six Rivers East) is now 4-1 in one-run games and has won three straight one-run games this week.
"They say that good teams have to get lucky sometimes," Monticello coach Duane Garrison said. "Maybe that is where we are right now - just a little bit lucky."
Runner interference was also a factor earlier in the game. Monticello sophomore Courtney Leuzinger was called for interference in the third inning when the umpire ruled she ran into Ostby.
"Every play that is controversial, each team would like to have it go their way," Garrison said. "I think we got out on one and we got on with one. It all evened out."
Argyle coach Dan Treuthardt said the popup in the sixth, by the rule book, was interference.
"Whenever you give a team whether it's Monticello or us extra outs it hurts," Dan Treuthardt said. "That is not why we lost the game."
Argyle (8-8, 4-3) went 1-for-9 hitting with runners in scoring position, left nine runners on base and committed four errors.
"We have been hitting the ball pretty good, but we just couldn't get the clutch hit," Dan Treuthardt said. "I think if we take away a few errors we would have won."
Kubly was excited to deliver the game-winning hit.
"It felt good to get the RBI to get the win," Kubly said. "I just thank God that my teammates were able to get on for me. It's a really big win. (Argyle) upset us last year. They upset us in basketball and volleyball. We seem to always come out a little flat and then come back together to get the win."
Leuzinger went 2-for-3 to lead the Ponies. Klosterman, who went 2-for-3 with two RBI, was happy to come through with a game-tying hit after fouling off several pitches from Treuthardt.
"It's just timing," Klosterman said. "(Treuthardt) is a very good pitcher. Once you get that timing, you can just hit away. That was a huge win for us."
Early on, it was the Orioles that forced the issue on the bases. Argyle sophomore Jenna Langmeier, who went 2-for-4 with two doubles, crushed a double to center in the first off Monticello starting pitcher Claire Bruns. Argyle's Rachel Tollakson reached on a fielder's choice. Ostby then lined a two-run single to left. The ball got away and she raced home to stake the Orioles to a 3-0 lead.
The Ponies chipped away at the Orioles' lead. Leuzinger singled to center in the second. Monticello senior Jordyn Kubly moved her into scoring position. Klosterman drove in a run with a sacrifice fly to cut the Orioles' lead to 3-1. The Orioles committed two errors in the third and it led to one unearned run for the Ponies.
Bruns gave up three runs on six hits. She struck out three, walked two and hit two. After giving up three runs in the first, Bruns shut the Orioles down. The Ponies committed four errors and Clare Geitzel was thrown out at home in the fourth. Bruns pitched out of a two-on, one out jam in the fifth by striking out Treuthardt and Hannah Saalsaa.
"She has been a rock for us this year," Garrison said of Bruns. "That's why she is the No. 1 pitcher."
