‘Canes Win at Home
Thirteen was a lucky number for the Monticello Canes baseball team. They took the field in Monticello against the Josey Eagles on Tuesday, March 28, and it represented their thirteenth game without a win. It took some timely hits, strong defense, and an unusual play, but the losing streak came to an end and the ‘Canes prevailed 8-2.
The unusual play was a very rare triple play. It was in the top of the fourth with a runner on first and another on third and no outs when Brian Anderson caught a quick pop-up from the mound for one out. The runner on first had not tagged up and Anderson threw to first for the second out. First Baseman Wayne Cronan immediately spotted the same situation on third and made the throw for the third out.
Head Coach Chris Jenkins said it was the first triple play he had seen since he has been coaching at Monticello High School. He also said, “We lost to this team last year in a close game, so it was nice to get a win. Defensively the team was alive tonight and the boys played a good game.”
Anderson also belted a bases loaded double in the fifth for three RBI’s, and he pitched seven strong innings.
Lee Bailey doubled in the first, Cronan had an RBI single in the second and another single in the fifth, Ethan Huff singled in the forth and fifth with an RBI, Kyle Byrd singled in the third, and Alex Jordan singled in the sixth and scored.
Defensively the outfield played flawlessly, and there were only two errors by the infield.
The bad news of the game came in the second inning when right fielder Darius Clemmons broke his ankle sliding into second.
The ‘Canes next two games will be on the road beginning with Greene County on Friday, March 31, and then Laney in Augusta on Tuesday, April 4.
Regional Standings
School Region Overall
Morgan Co. 2-0 3-3
Oglethrope Co. 5-1 9-3
North Oconee 2-2 5-5
Westside/
Augusta 1-0 3-2
Putnam Co. 1-0 1-4
Greene Co. 0-1 0-2
Monticello 1-2 2-10
Josey 0-2 0-4
Laney 0-2 0-3
Jr. Varsity & Middle School
On Monday, March 27, the Jr. Varsity lost 13-8 to Wilkinson County.
Wayne Cronan, who moved up to play first base on the varsity team in place of injured Matt Hyde, went two for three. Jamie Watley pitched six and a third innings before being relieved by Will Bullard.
The team was scheduled to play GMC in Milledgeville on Wednesday, March 29, and isn’t scheduled to play again until April 12, in Social Circle.
The Middle School ‘Canes picked up a win on Friday, March 24, by defeating Morgan County 4-1. Keaton Ring pitched the entire game. Keldrick Davis turned two double plays on his own. The team was scheduled to play Loganville on Wednesday, March 29, and Greene County on Friday, March 31, at home beginning at 5 p.m