If you like offense, this one had plenty of it.
Monticello and St. Thomas More went back-and-forth all night, combining for 24 runs, but it was the Sages who delivered the final push in a 13-11 win.
Monticello struck first in the opening inning with an RBI single from Jax Bailey, but St. Thomas More answered right away and kept applying pressure. The Sages built an early cushion with strong production in the second and third innings, highlighted by RBI hits from Zeke Young, Cole Basak, and a two-run single from Dawson Gaitros to make it 7-2.
But the Sabers had a response of their own.
St. Thomas More erupted in the fourth inning, putting together a huge rally fueled by a three-run double from Ashton Hill and additional RBIs from Wil Karduck and Henry Karduck to take a 9-8 lead. They kept the momentum going into the fifth, with Michael Roesel and Brodie Grey delivering key hits to extend the lead to 11-10.
Monticello didn’t fold.
After tying the game in the fifth, the Sages came through with the decisive inning in the sixth. Grant Kiger ignited the rally with a game-tying triple, Matthais Rudolph followed with an RBI double, and Cole Basak added an RBI single to push Monticello ahead 13-11.
From there, the Sages held on, closing out the high-scoring contest and securing the win.
Monticello’s ability to answer every punch and deliver in the clutch proved to be the difference in a game full of momentum swings.
Top Performers
Monticello Varsity Sages
- Cole Basak: Multiple RBI singles, key insurance run late
- Matthais Rudolph: Double, multiple hits, clutch RBI
- Grant Kiger: Game-tying triple, sacrifice fly
- Dawson Gaitros: 2-RBI single, strong offensive night
- Zeke Young: RBI single, run scored
St. Thomas More Varsity Sabers
- Ashton Hill: 3-run double, multiple RBIs
- Wil Karduck: RBI single, run scored
- Michael Roesel: RBI single, multiple runs scored
- Brodie Grey: RBI single during late rally
- Ben Ruffatto: RBI single, active at the plate
