Panther JV plays eight, wins three

     Three wins in eight recent games altered the Monticello junior varsity baseball team’s record to 4-7 on the season.

     On June 4, the Panthers lost a home game to Camanche by a score of 9-3. Monticello scored on a sacrifice fly by Tyler Blattner, an RBI single by Jeff Carlson, and a bases-loaded walk to Blattner. Hunter Kramer pitched all four innings and took the loss.

     At West Branch June 5, the Panthers lost 7-3. Blattner again drove in two runs, and Wesley Henderson had an RBI single. Gage Jacobs scored two runs. Relief pitcher Tyler Luensman took the loss.

     Monticello traveled to Tipton June 7, and lost by a score of 9-5. Jacobs had a two-run single, while Hunter Kramer and Luensman also had RBIs. Ethan Tallman scored two runs. Jacobs was the losing pitcher.

     The Panthers then played host to Easton Valley June 8, and lost 4-1. Monticello’s run came on a sacrifice fly by Carlson, scoring Caleb Sauser. The losing pitcher was Sauser.

     Next, the Panthers snapped their losing streak with a 2-0 win at Midland June 12. Hunter Kramer threw a five-inning shutout, striking out eight, to pick up the win. Sauser singled to lead off the game, stole second and third, and scored on a throwing error. In the fifth inning, Bo Kramer singled, went to third on a single by Sauser, and scored on a squeeze bunt by Jacobs.

     Monticello picked up another win June 14 at Iowa City Regina, winning 3-1. Carlson was the winning pitcher, giving up one run in five innings. Brayden Cleeton drove in Tallman with a single in the second inning, and Grahm Schneiter later singled to score Cleeton. Jacobs drove in Schneiter with a sacrifice fly for an insurance run in the fifth.

     On June 15, the Panthers played at Calamus-Wheatland and lost 3-1. Luensman singled to score Sauser for the only Monti run, in the fourth. Sauser was the losing pitcher. Chandler Weber pitched two innings of scoreless relief.

     A June 18 home game against West Liberty was suspended due to lighting after two innings, with the score tied 1-1. Hunter Kramer score the Monticello run on an RBI single by Weber.

     Monticello then played host to Springville June 23, and scored a 7-0 win as Carlson pitched a complete game shutout. Blattner had an RBI double and reached safely in all three at bats. Hunter Kramer singled and drew a walk to record an RBI.