V-S erases Panthers' strong start

     It was the kind of start the Monticello High School baseball team had been looking for.

     The Panthers (0-2, 0-4), playing host to a highly-regarded Vinton-Shellsburg team, opened a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.

     It didn’t last, however, as the Vikings gained a 5-3 lead in the fourth inning, held an 8-6 margin after six, and scored six runs in the top of the seventh on the way to a 14-6 non-conference win May 31 at Dailey Field in Monticello.

     “Going into the game I thought our guys were locked in and ready to play,” Monticello coach Kolby Harms said. “With a whole week off because of the rain, I thought we were eager to get back playing. I liked the energy the guys had.”

     Tyler Luensman led off the Panthers’ first inning with a walk, and Jon Mootz singled. An overthrow on a single by Avery Martensen allowed Luensman to score, and Martensen then stole second.

     Mootz later came in on a single by Caleb Sauser, and Martensen crossed the plate on a Caleb Gillmore single.

     “We were a hit or two from opening the game up early on,” Harms said. “It is the first time we have played with the lead, and is something we can learn from.”

     Vinton-Shellsburg scored two runs in the top of the third inning and three more in the fourth to take a 5-3 lead. The Panthers answered in the fifth on an RBI single by Sauser, scoring Justin Recker.

     The Vikings added three in the top of the sixth to make the score 8-4, but the Panthers answered with two of their own, on an RBI by Recker and a sacrifice fly by Martensen, scoring Tate Petersen and Tyler Luensman, respectively.

     Things got away from the Panthers in the top of the seventh, as the Vikings scored six times.

     “Vinton is a good team and capitalized on our mistakes,” Harms said. “They hit the ball well. There were some errors that are pretty uncharacteristic of us. It is unfortunate, but we are young, and the important thing is that we learn from it.”

     Martensen finished 2-for-2 with two stolen bases, and Sauser was 2-for-4 with two runs batted in. Starting pitcher Jeff Carlson worked 3 2/3 innings and took the loss. Dylan Roher, Tyler Blattner and Sauser took turns on the mound as well.

     “Avery Martensen was big at the plate for us and has been great defensively,” the coach said. “Same for Jon Mootz; he is hitting the ball hard and has adjusted to the outfield.

     “With Gavin (Cooper) banged up and not playing, Justin Recker did an awesome job moving over to center and making plays.”

     This week is a busy one for the Panthers. They were scheduled to play a doubleheader June 3 at home against North Cedar, and a JV-varsity doubleheader June 4 at home against West Branch.

     Coming up are JV-varsity doubleheaders June 6 at Tipton and June 7 at Easton Valley.

May 31

Vinton-Shellsburg 14, Monti 6

MONTICELLO                            AB    R      H    BI

Luensman, T. 3b                           3      2      0      0

Mootz lf                                         4      1      1      0

Recker cf                                       2      1      0      1

Martensen 1b                                2      1      2      1

Sauser ss                                      4      0      2      2

Gillmore c                                      3      0      1      1

Blattner dh                                     3      0      0      0

Cleeton ph                                     1      0      0      0

Carlson p                                       2      0      0      0

Roher p                                          2      0      0      0

Petersen 2b                                   3      1      1      0

Totals                                           29     6      7      5

Vinton-Shellsbg.           002  303  6   – 14    11     3

Monticello                     300  012  0   –  6      7      3

SB – Martensen 2, T. Luensman 2, Recker.

Monticello                  IP        H     R    ER   BB   SO

Carlson (L, 0-1)       3 2/3       7      5      4      2      1

Roher                      1 2/3       3      3      1      1      0

Blattner                   1 1/3        0      4      3      2      1

Sauser                      1/3         1      2      0      2      1

Totals                         7         11    14     8      7      3