In a game heard on WHOW, WEZC, and online at dewittdailynews.com, a bases-loaded walk was the winning run as Clinton picked up one of its biggest wins on the baseball diamond in recent memory and secured its first 20-win season since 2007, blanking Monticello 1-0 in nine innings Wednesday afternoon from the Wilkie Complex in Monticello.
After a pitchers duel with limited opportunities for both teams, the Maroons broke through in the top of the ninth inning drawing two walks against Sages starter Carter Foran, who was working into the ninth inning. Then Jacob Long relieved and walked the first two batters he faced to bring home the only run of the game.
Brock Wilson was superb for Clinton on the mound. The sophomore went 7 1/3 shutout innings allowing two hits with a walk and six strikeouts.
Foran went 8 1/3 innings and was responsible for the only run scored by Clinton. The Monticello junior allowed three hits, two walks and struck out five.
First-year Clinton Coach Nate Ennis was proud of his team's grit throughout a hard-fought game.
With a runner on and nobody out in the sixth inning, Monticello leadoff hitter and Illinois State-commit Luke Teschke was called on to bunt. The senior delivered a successful sacrifice to move the runner over but the Sages could not capitalize.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, and a runner on and one out, Monticello cleanup batter Colton Vance was then called upon to sacrifice bunt and popped out at the plate. Coach Ennis felt it was those felt like it was a win already.
Coach Ennis gave his sophomore pitchers praise for their poise in a tough environment, particularly Jack Manning who came on in relief to close out the win.
Clinton goes to 20-8 overall. Monticello drops to 28-3 overall.
The two teams could meet in a potential Regional Championship next weekend as they are seeded in the same Regional at Monticello High School.
Hear Clinton postseason baseball action on WHOW and all its digital platforms starting next Thursday when they take on Tri-Valley at 4:30 pm from Monticello High School.
Hear Monticello postseason baseball on WEZC and dewittdailynews.com when they play at 4:30 pm at Monticello High School.
