A three-run fifth inning was the difference as Monticello doubled up Rantoul 6-3 in Illini Prairie Conference high school baseball action on Thursday in Rantoul.

In the decisive fifth, Eli Craft doubled, scoring Matthais Rudolph, and later in the inning, an error allowed Eric Arnold to reach base and score, also bringing in courtesy runner Zeke Young. 

The Sages got on the board in the top of the first when Arnold singled, scoring Dawson Gaitros. 

In the third, after a leadoff single by Gaitros, Craft hit a sacrifice fly to score Gaitros, and Ike Young followed with a single to bring in courtesy runner Matthais Rudolph, making it 3-0 Monticello

Ike Young led the Sages going 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Carter Foran was 2-for-3. Gaitros had two hits and scored two runs. Arnold was 1-for-4 with an RBI. Craft was 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Brody Billedo, Heyden Romano, and Grant Kiger each added hits.

On the mound for Monticello, Carter Foran earned the win, pitching six innings and allowing three runs on six hits with five strikeouts and no walks. Rudolph pitched one scoreless inning in relief, allowing no hits and striking out two while walking one.

The Sages improve to 23-4 overall and are 7-2 in the Illini Prairie Conference. They host Olympia on Friday. Hear the action on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com.