The Monticello baseball team entered the season with high expectations. They started strong. The Magic won their first two games, scoring 27 runs on 14 hits. During their last two games, they combined for six runs off of eight hits in losses to Becker and Princeton.
On Thursday, April 11, Monticello beat Cambridge-Isanti 15-3 at Cambridge Primary School. Senior Grant Stahlback was 2-for-2 with a walk, two runs scored and an RBI. Junior Brock Holthaus was 1-for-3 with a double and five RBI. Junior Easton Peters was 1-for-4 with a double and 2 RBI.
Senior Trevor Dahlke earned the win on the mound for Monticello. He allowed three runs off three hits with six strikeouts. Senior Keegan Ellis pitched two hitless innings in relief. He struck out one batter.
Looking to start the season off 3-0, Monticello traveled to Becker High School on Friday, April 12. They ended up with their first loss of the season as they try to find their team identity in 2024, “it’s hard to figure out whose good and whose not. We’re still trying to figure out what kind of team we are,” said Monticello Head Coach Cole Deibele.
It’s cold and windy and early in the season you see more errors than you do typically later in the season. The focus for the Magic is getting better every day so they can play their best ball in the end of May through April.
Monticello scored a run during the top of the first inning but allowed five during the second and third innings to fall behind 5-1. During the top of the fifth, they scored twice but the Bulldogs matched the Magic during the bottom.
Trailing 7-3 in the sixth, Monticello scored a run during the top of the frame but once again, Becker answered with a run during the bottom and won 8-4.
The defense was an issue for Monticello against Becker. They committed four errors. Freshman Carson Deibele was tagged for the loss after allowing five runs (three earned) in four innings with five strikeouts. Junior Tim Marcus pitched the final two innings out of the bullpen.
The Magic hit 3-for-26 against the Bulldogs. Senior Tyson Visness, Peters and Stahlback were the players to record a hit. Senior Caden King drew two walks and stole two bases.
On Monday, Monticello played Princeton at Princeton Solheim Field. The Magic lost 8-2, going 5-for-26 at the plate. King went 1-for-3 with a double, one RBI and a run scored. Freshman Cale Holthaus was 1-for-1 with two walks and an RBI.
Senior Nick Anderson took the loss on the mound. He allowed seven runs on eight hits in three innings with five strikeouts. Senior Mason Drewelow, Dahlke and Marcus all pitched one inning of relief. They allowed one combined one on two hits and three walks.
On Thursday, Monticello played Big Lake at Monticello High School. On Friday, they hosted Buffalo. After that, they play three straight road games from Tuesday, April 23 through Monday, April 29.
Stahlback (5-for-11) and Visness (5-for-14) lead the team in hits. King has drawn six walks. Anderson and Dahlke lead the pitching staff with seven strikeouts.
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