RIVERSIDE – The score after one inning: Montezuma 1, Highland 0.
That’s one-win Montezuma leading 20-3, 11th-ranked Highland. The Braves had gained the Huskies’ attention in the opening round of Class 1A district play on Saturday, July 2.
Highland came back with four runs in the second and three in the third, and played more add-on to close out the Braves, 11-1, in five innings.
As in many of their games this season, the Braves gave it their best shot against a strong team.
Highland outhit Montezuma 11-5.
Broox Stockman went 2×2 for the Braves with a double.
Cruz De Jong went 1×2 and drove in Montezuma’s run.
Garrett Watts doubled and Brett Plants singled for Montezuma’s other two hits.
Owen Cook pitched the four and one-third inning distance for Montezuma, and struck out nine batters. He walked four.
Ethan Paisley hit a triple and knocked in four runs. Two Highland pitchers struck out a total of 11 Montezuma batters.
Meanwhile, a salute to the Braves, who played with just 10 available players most of the season, until calling up a couple eighth-graders late in the campaign.
The Braves finished with a 1-15 record, but learned and represented Montezuma with a competitive spirit throughout the campaign!
Highland moves on with a 21-3 record.
