MARENGO – It was close – oh, so close – but no winner’s cigar for the baseball Braves at Iowa Valley on Monday, June 5.
Montezuma took a 4-0 lead into the home half of the fifth inning. But Iowa Valley came up with three runs in the fifth, then walked it off with two in the bottom half of the seventh.
Braves starting pitcher Owen Cook deserved a better fate. He worked the first six innings, allowed six hits, walked just two and struck out 13.
But Cook and the Braves couldn’t overcome nine Montezuma errors. The Tigers put the ball in play and finally were rewarded.
Montezuma made the most of three hits. Garrett Watts hit a double and drove in a run.
Broox Stockman hit a double.
And Luke Erselius drove in a run with a base hit.
Owen Cook and Colton Benson each had a stolen base.
Benson relieved Cook on the mound, and yielded two hits and two runs.
Beau Long went five-for-five for the Tigers, hit a double, and drove in a run. He also pitched two innings in relief of Caleb Haack, who threw the first five, walking five, but limiting Montezuma hits while striking out 13.
Iowa Valley went to 4-2 on the season.
Montezuma came home with a 3-3 record.