In a game heard on WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com, Eli Craft hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the second inning and Monticello held on against Maroa-Forsyth 6-2 in a matchup of undefeated high school baseball teams Monday in Monticello.

The Trojans opened the game with a 2-0 lead. Kaiden Maurer had an infield single kick off the slope of the pitcher's mound that caught Monticello's shortstop off-guard in his pursuit of the groundball to his left.

Mitch Williams worked a walk on a borderline 3-2 pitch from Monticello senior Luke Teschke. After Zayn Giles sacrificed the two over, two passed balls allowed the Trojans to go up 2-0 early.

The Sages got a run back in their half of the first inning on a Teschke RBI triple to right center field. 

Craft blistered another big fly to left following a Jacob Long single to start the inning that put Monticello ahead 3-2.

The game could be a huge indicator of seeding in the upcoming 2A playoffs. Monticello and Maroa-Forsyth are in the same sub-sectional and could see each other again in a Regional or Sectional setting.

The Trojans' defense let them down in the third inning as Monticello added insurance runs. With Ike Young at bat and a third strike in the dirt, Mitch Williams' throw to first base sailed into right field. 

Young took second on a ball in the dirt and then Long singled through the right side of the infield and Young slid around the tag at home plate to make the score 4-2.

In the sixth inning, Dylan Brown singled to start the inning for Monticello. Raiden Colbert doubled down the left field line to set up second and third and nobody out. Eric Arnold, hitting for leadoff hitter Carter Foran, brought in Brown with a sac fly to left field then Matt Swartz singled home Colbert to put Monticello up 6-2.

The game ended after Maurer singled to center field with two outs. Williams then doubled to right field just past the diving attempt by Young.

Maurer was held at third at the last second and Williams took a big turn at second base. The throw went to third base and Monticello got Maurer at home plate trying to score.

Teschke worked through a frustrating start to the game to finish 5 1/3 innings of two-run ball for Monticello. The Illinois State-commit struck out nine, walked three and allowed five hits.

Foran finished the game with an 1 2/3 of shutout ball. 

Maurer led Maroa-Forsyth going 3-for-4 with a run and a stolen base. 

Monday was another classic between two programs that have had a lot of success in recent years and play each other very close when they matchup. 

The Trojans undefeated run comes to an end as they go to 13-1 overall. 

Monticello goes to 20-0 on the season. The Sages are off to its best start since the 2017-18 Sages went 25-5. They will host Salt Fork on Wednesday.