Cubs rip Worthington to start season

     A quick start offensively, and strong performances by three Monticello pitchers led to a dream start for the Monticello Cubs semi-pro baseball team.

     The Cubs had a five-run second inning, and rolled to an 11-0 lead in the fifth inning on the way to a 14-3 season-opening triumph on a cool but otherwise beautiful night at Worthington.

     Parker Kray pitched four shutout innings to get the win. Newcomer Kyle Wright, from Manchester, struck out eight batters in three innings, and A.J. Reuter fanned five of the six batters he faced over the final two innings.

     “Parker was hitting his spots and making them hit weak ground balls or fly outs, which made it easy on our defense,” Monticello player-manager Tanner Felton said. “Kyle Wright was in command of his fastball. We are very excited about Parker and Kyle on the mound this year. And it’s nice to have a guy like A.J. because we know what we are getting from him every time he gets on the mound.”

     They had plenty of support from the Cubs’ offense, which collected 11 hits and took advantage of 17 walks. Getting two hits apiece were Michael Reuter, Tanner Felton, A.J. Reuter and Ryan Manternach. Tanner Felton and Michael Reuter hit doubles.

     “Guys had a lot of good at bats, fouling off pitches and working counts,” Tanner Felton said. “We hit with runners in scoring position, and took advantage of some passed balls. Ultimately our offense did a great job.”

     The win left manager Felton with high hopes of an improvement for the Cubs this season. Last year, Monticello finished 9-19.

     “We were all very excited to get the season started,” he said. “I am very excited about this year and can’t wait to see us get better.”

May 29

Monticello 14, Worthington 3

MONTICELLO                            AB     R     H     BI

Mescher ss                                    5      3      1      1

Reuter, M. c                                   4      3      2      3

Felton, Ta. cf                                  5      1      2      2

Reuter, A. 1b                                  5      1      2      4

Manternach, R. 3b                         4      1      2      0

Stutt, L. dh                                     5      1      1      2

Wright 1b                                       1      0      0      0

Holmes rf                                       5      0      0      2

Kraus rf                                          1      0      0      0

Felton, Ty. 2b                                 2      2      1      0

Sauser 2b                                      0      1      0      0

Monk, Z. lf                                      4      1      0      0

Kray p                                            0      0      0      0

Totals                                           41    14    11    14

Monticello      151  040  003          –   14    11     2

Worthington   000  010  200           –   3      9      3

LOB – Monticello 18, Worthington 12.

2B – Ta. Felton, M. Reuter.

SB –  Mescher, Sauser.

Monticello                  IP    H    R  ER  BB SO

Kray (W, 1-0)                      4      3      0      0      2      2

Wright                                      3      5      3      1      2      8

Reuter, A.                              2      1      0      0      0      5

Totals                                      9      9      3      1      4  15