MARENGO – Connor Van Zee supplied some power and Montezuma’s baseball teams got away to hopeful starts on Monday evening, June 15.
Iowa Valley won the varsity game, 5-4. But Van Zee tripled in Eddie Burgess with an early run, cutting an Iowa Valley lead to 2-1.
With the Braves down 5-3 in the seventh, Van Zee hit a solo home run, but that was as close as the Braves got.
In JV action, the teams tied, 5-5, in a five-inning game.
Iowa Valley jumped out to a 2-0 first inning lead against starter Eddie Burgess, who shut down the Tigers over the next three innings.
Owen Cook relieved Burgess in the fifth and yielded three runs, but none after that.
Van Zee was two-for-three, with the home run, triple, two runs batted in, a run scored and a stolen base.
Joey Kercheval also was two-for-three for the Braves.
Kodie Strong had a hit and knocked in a run.
Owen Cook drove in a run without the need of a hit.
Other singles were one each by Burgess, Cole Watts and Colton Benson.
Burgess had two stolen bases and Watts and Van Zee had one each.
Burgess was tagged with the pitching defeat. He allowed three hits and two runs, both earned. He walked two and struck out four.
Cook allowed four hits and three runs, all earned. He walked one and struck out two.
UP NEXT – Montezuma hosts Tri-County on Wednesday, June 17. The varsity starts at 6, with JVs to follow. Remember, there will be no bleachers or concession stand. So plan to bring your own chairs and food and drink!