JV wins four of first seven

     Monticello won four of its first seven games to kick off the junior varsity softball season.

     The Panthers (4-3) opened the season with a doubleheader at Bellevue May 24, and won both games, by scores of 10-5 and 8-6.

     In the first game, the Panthers scored five runs in both the second and third innings. Olivia Goodyear had the team’s lone hit, a single. Monticello drew nine walks and was hit by pitches five times. Reese Cox pitched for the win.

     A five-run fourth inning was the difference for the Panthers in the second game. Tori McDonald batted 2-for-3 with a double. DeLainy Fellinger had an RBI single. McDonald was the winning pitcher.

     On May 30, the Panthers traveled to Wilton and lost 7-0. Jordyn Patterson and Kacie Bayne had the team’s hits. Cox pitched and took the loss.

     Monticello then visited Mid-Prairie of Wellman June 1, and lost by a score of 10-5. Goodyear had a single and scored two runs. Fellinger also singled.

     Next, Cox pitched a three-hit shutout over six innings as the Panthers blanked West Branch 2-0 June 6 in Monticello. Cox struck out 11 and walked four. Beka Prull doubled and later scored on a passed ball for the Panthers’ first run, and Rylee Bauer singled home Bayne for the second run. Prull batted 2-for-3.

     The Panthers then played a doubleheader at Camanche June 7, winning 8-7 and losing 10-9. Megan James, McDonald and Cox all went 2-for-3 in the first game, each with a double. Cox pitched for the win.

     James had a triple in the second game.