The Monticello Sages, aided by solid pitching and a blustery afternoon, defeated the Meridian Hawks in their Okaw Valley Conference opener, 12-6 at Meridian High School. After getting baserunners on the first three innings, the Sages only put one run across, but broke things open with an 8-run 4th inning.
Nick Stokowski, who came a triple shy of the cycle, filled the box score with a 3 for 3 day. He had a 3-run single, a solo homer, a double, four RBIs and scored four runs. Ross Reeder went 1-5 with a three-run triple. Jacob Williams went six innings, striking out all 18 outs he recorded, and gave up 2 runs. Every out the Sages recorded on the afternoon was a strikeout.
The Sages improve to 9-3 overall and 1-0 in Okaw Valley play. The Hawks drop to 7-4. The Sages play host Friday to Central A & M.