By Ashlea Prouty
MONTICELLO — May 11, 2010 — The Monticello Panthers recorded a 7-6 victory over the Ellenville Blue Devils in the championship game of the third annual John Spears Memorial Baseball Tournament on Saturday at Monticello High School.
With the win, the Panthers improved their season record to 10-5, which guarantees them a berth in the upcoming Section IX tournament. This is the first time since 2001 that the Panthers have qualified for sectional play.
In addition, Monticello has won eight games in a row and nine of its last 10.
With the loss, Ellenville’s season record fell to 5-9.
Senior Jesse Levine took the mound for Monticello and stuck out the first three batters that he faced. He wound up with 12 strikeouts for the day.
In the bottom of the second inning, Levine got help offensively as two Ellenville errors led to Anthony Gray and Connor Briggs scoring runs to give Monticello a 2-0 lead.
The Panthers extended their advantage to 6-0 in the bottom of the third as Serafin Rodriguez, Sean Reuss, Levine and Gray each scored a run.
When Shane Jackson scored in the bottom of the fourth to give Monticello a 7-0 lead, it appeared that the team was on its way to a lopsided victory.
But sophomore pitcher Logan Smith and rest of the Blue Devils were not ready to give up.
Ellenville began to rally in the top of the fifth inning. Levine faced 10 batters in the frame and Ellenville’s Edgar Vargas, Zach Kasloski, Ken Krygier, Zach Diehl and Steve Bar all crossed home plate to make it a 7-5 game.
Kasloski scored again in the top of the sixth, bringing the Blue Devils to within one run.
In the top of the seventh inning with the tying run on base for the Blue Devils, Briggs took over on the mound for Monticello and recorded the save.
Chris Schnabel had a double and three RBIs to lead the Panthers’ offense, while Briggs and Jackson each added an RBI single.
“We had a great comeback and our boys didn’t quit,” Ellenville Coach Merrill Conner said. “We had a rocky start, but that is inexperience. We fought back hard and I am proud.”
Monticello Coach Mike Marra was very happy with the victory.
“It was great to honor John [Spear],” Marra said. “This is the first time we’ve won [the tournament]. But it is twice as sweet to win today and guarantee our spot in sectionals.”
Monticello returns to the diamond at 4:30 p.m. today to host Rondout Valley in a non-league game.