Cubs lose, win tourney games

     Two strong pitching performances led to a loss and a win for the Monticello Cubs in a pair of semi-pro baseball tournament games last week.

     The win came in the first round of the Holy Cross Tournament July 29, as Tyler Felton fired a two-hit shutout with two strikeouts in a 2-0 Monticello win over Balltown.

     “Tyler Felton threw a ton of strikes, and we played one of the best defensive games we have all year,” Monticello player-manager Tanner Felton said. “It was the best Tyler has thrown in a long time. Jon Mootz also made a couple really good plays out in left field for us.”

     The Cubs (8-12), who reached the championship game of the Holy Cross Tournament a year ago, had three hits, including a 2-for-3 effort from Kyle Wright. Andrew Mescher walked twice and stole three bases.

     Monticello also had strong pitching from A.J. Reuter in a Dyersville Tournament quarterfinal game July 28, but lost 5-3 to Dyersville. The White Hawks took advantage of a pair of Monticello errors to take a 5-0 lead in the first inning.

     The Cubs battled back, with A.J. Reuter hitting a solo home run in the sixth inning. Monticello then scored twice in the top of the seventh, but couldn’t close the gap further.

     A.J. Reuter threw a four-hitter with four strikeouts in taking the loss. Tyler Felton and Mescher each batted 2-for-3, and Michael Reuter was 2-for-4.

     “A.J. threw very well and also hit a home run for us, but another big first inning for the other team ultimately cost us the game,” Tanner Felton said. “We played great from the second inning on.”

     The Cubs were scheduled to play in a Holy Cross Tournament quarterfinal game Aug. 4.

July 28

Dyersville Tournament

(Quarterfinals)

Dyersville 5, Monticello 3

MONTICELLO                            AB    R      H     BI

Mescher 2b                                   3      1      2      0

Reuter, M. c                                   4      0      2      1

Reuter, A. p                                   4      1      1      1

Felton, Ta. cf                                  4      0      1      0

Holmes rf                                       3      0      0      0

Manternach, R. ss                         3      0      0      0

Wright 1b                                       3      0      0      0

Felton, Ty. dh                                 3      1      2      0

Monk, Z. 3b                                    3      0      1      0

Totals                                           30     3      9      2

Monticello                   000  001  2   –    3      9      3

Dyersville                    500  000  x   –    5      4      1

LOB – Monticello 7, Dyersville 4.

HR – A. Reuter.

2B – Mescher.

Monticello                        IP   H    R  ER   BB   SO

Reuter, A. (L, 3-1)             6     4    5    0      3       4

Totals                               6      4   5    0      3      4

July 29

Holy Cross Tournament

(first round)

Monticello 2, Balltown 0

MONTICELLO                            AB     R     H     BI

Mescher 2b                                   1      2      0      0

Monk, Z. cf                                    3      0      1      0

Reuter, M. c                                  2      0      0      1

Felton, Ta. 3b                                3      0      0      0

Manternach, R. ss                        3      0      0      0

Felton, Ty. p                                  3      0      0      0

Wright 1b                                      3      0      2      0

Mootz lf                                         3      0      0      0

Kraus rf                                         2      0      0      0

Totals                                          23     2      3      1

Monticello                  101  000  0   –    2      3      0

Balltown                     000  000  0   –    0      2      1

LOB – Balltown 4, Monticello 3.

SB – Mescher 3, Monk.

Monticello                       IP    H    R   ER   BB  SO

Felton, Ty. (W, 2-1)           7      2    0     0      2      2

Totals                               7      2    0     0      2      2