by Rusty Ellis
Monterey started fast with a six-run first inning in their 13-3 win over Jackson County in the Wildcats’ district-opener on Monday night.
Colby Trevathan opened the scoring with an RBI single, and two more runs pushed across thanks to a fielder’s choice and a balk. Dawson Hedgecough and Leandro Roberts added RBIs of their own on a sacrifice fly and a single, respectively, before the inning was capped by a Jackson County error that led to the sixth run.
Roberts took the mound for the Wildcats, and he was fantastic outside of one pitch, as he sat down the Blue Devils with no issue in the opening two frames. Monterey’s Evan Robinson added onto the lead in the second with a solo home run in the second inning, pushing the lead to 7-0.
Jackson County finally got on the board, courtesy of a three-run home run off the bat of first baseman Jaylan Wright in the top of the third, but that was all the Blue Devils would muster up. Monterey hung six more runs on the board in the third and fourth innings to close out their district opener in 13-3 fashion over Jackson County.
Roberts earned the win with five innings pitched, as he gave up just the three runs and struck out seven.
For head coach John Looper, he was pleased with how much fire his team came out with in the first inning, knowing that propelled them to victory.
“We came out with some great energy in the first inning,” Looper said. “They made some miscues, and we took advantage of them. If you’re going to win these kinds of games, you’ve got to take advantage of opportunities like that. We did a good job of that.”
Roberts put together a really good showing in his first taste of district baseball at the high school level, and Looper liked a lot of what he saw out of the freshman.
“He made one pitch I’m sure he would like back,” Looper said. “Wright’s a really good player and he didn’t miss the mistake, but being a freshman and that being his first district start, I’m really happy with how he performed.”
Early in the season, every coach emphasizes the importance of winning district games such as this one and building momentum.
Looper is quick to point out however that if they don’t take care of business on Tuesday, this win will mean a little less.
“If you lose early, you’re immediately playing from behind,” Looper said. “If we can’t go do the same thing tomorrow though, it makes this one worth a bit less.”
The two teams will meet again on Tuesday night in Gainesboro at 6 p.m.
