Opponents get early leads to down Panthers

     Early deficits marked the first week of the high school softball season for the Monticello Panthers.

     Monticello lost an 8-0 decision at home against Marion to open the season May 20, and then lost both ends of a doubleheader May 23, also at home, by scores of 7-2 and 10-0.

     In each case, the opponent jumped out to an early advantage and led throughout. Marion took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning, and led 4-0 after five, before scoring five in the top of the fourth.

     Monticello had four hits in the game, including a 2-for-3 effort from Jaelynn Kraus, who also pitched for the Panthers.

     Camanche came to town Thursday, and scored three quick runs in the top of the first inning.

     Down 4-0 in the third, the Panthers scored twice on a two-run double by Sydney Hansen to cut the deficit in half. But the Indians responded, adding a run in the fourth and two more in the seventh.

     “We just couldn’t get the timely hit,” Monticello coach Bret McDonald said. “We played well, and we had our chances.”

     Monticello’s Aspen Gillmore went 3-for-4. Jaelyn Aitchison and Sydney Hansen each had a double. Kraus pitched and took the loss.

     In the second game, a six-run top of the second inning for Camanche proved decisive. Monticello had two hits in the game.

     “We just seemed to make timely mistakes, and it snowballed on us a little bit,” coach McDonald said.

     Reese Cox was the Panther pitcher.

     It didn’t help that Camanche’s Tarah Wehde hit three home runs in the doubleheader, for a total of four runs batted in.

     “We couldn’t get her out,” the coach said. “She’s one of the best hitters I’ve ever seen.

May 20

Marion 8, Monticello 0

MONTICELLO                            AB     R     H     BI

Gillmore lf                                      3      0      1      0

Aitchison cf                                    3      0      0      0

Kraus p                                          3      0      2      0

Hansen, S. 1b                                2      0      0      0

McDonald ss                                  3      0      0      0

Cox 2b                                            0      0      0      0

Fellinger, L. c                                  3      0      1      0

Fellinger, M. dh                               3      0      0      0

Kuper 3b                                         3      0      0      0

Hansen, P. rf                                   0      0      0      0

Totals                                            23     0      4      0

Marion                         201  010  4   –    8      6      1

Monticello                    000  000  0   –    0      4      3

Monticello                      IP     H     R    ER  BB   SO

Kraus (L, 0-1)                  7      6      8      7      5      3

Totals                              7      6      8      7      5      3

May 23

Camanche 7, Monticello 2

(first game)

MONTICELLO                               AB    R      H     BI

McDonald ss                                    2      1      1      0

Aitchison cf                                       3      0      1      0

Kraus p                                             3      1      0      0

Hansen, S. 1b                                   4      0      1      2

Gillmore lf                                         4      0      3      0

Fellinger, M. 2b                                 3      0      1      0

Fellinger, L. c                                    4      0      0      0                                                                    

Cox rf                                                2      0      0      0

Kuper 3b                                           2      0      0      0

Totals                                              27     2      7      2

Camanche                     301  100  2   –    7      5      3

Monticello                      002  000  0   –    2      7      2

LOB – Monticello 10, Camanche 5.

2B – Aitchison, S. Hansen.

Monticello                       IP     H     R    ER   BB  SO

Kraus (L, 0-2)                   7      5      7      5      6      4

Totals                               7      5      7      5      6      4

Camanche 10, Monticello 0

(second game, five innings)

MONTICELLO                               AB     R      H    BI

Aitchison cf                                       2      0      0      0

Gillmore lf                                         2      0      1      0

Kraus ss                                           2      0      0      0

Hansen, S. 1b                                  2      0      0      0

Fellinger, M. 2b                                 2      0      0      0

Fellinger, L. dp                                  2      0      0      0

McDonald ss                                     2      0      1      0

Kuper 3b                                           1      0      0      0

Cox p                                                1      0      0      0

Hansen, P. rf                                     0      0      0      0

Totals                                              16     0      2      0

Camanche           060  04                   –  10      6      0

Monticello            000  00                    –    0      2      2

LOB – Camanche 5, Monticello 1.

Monticello                         IP      H   R     ER  BB   SO

Cox (L, 0-1)                         7      6   10      4      6      2

Totals                                  7      6   10      4      6      2