What Monticello baseball does isn’t particularly complicated — the Mustangs try and keep it that way. It worked out nicely for the Mustangs Thursday night.
“It’s all the same fundamentals, it’s an approach, it’s being aggressive, it’s executing when you’re asked to execute,” said Monticello coach Corey Hunt. “The game itself is not a secret but to put yourself in a position to be fundamentally sound and to execute is what you want to do. Tonight for the most part we did that.”
After dropping into a one-run hole, the Mustangs eventually got going and picked up a 6-1 victory over Fluvanna County.
The Mustangs evened the game when Carter Lee laid down a perfect bunt to the right side of the infield that scored Ben Riley in the fourth inning. The Mustangs then pushed ahead by scoring on an error before Jake Byrnes singled into right field to bring in Tommy Carter.
An inning later it was Kevin Jarrell ripping a solo home run to left field as a mix of well-timed bunts and a little power showed the Mustangs can get it done in a variety of ways at the plate.
Tommy Carter was solid on the mound for the Mustangs, settling down after Fluvanna scored in the first on a pitch that got away from him. Fluvanna managed just a handful of baserunners from that point on.
“That’s a very good ball club we beat tonight and it took us executing in the clutch and throwing pitches — Tommy gave us a great start,” Hunt said. “(Fluvanna pitcher Logan Gibson) for them but obviously he’s out there for a reason, he’s a very good pitcher. He kept us off balance for awhile.”
Byrnes’ 2-for-3 night led the Mustangs at the plate while Riley finished with two RBI on a 1-for-2 night where he also drew a pair of walks.
“We’re trying to mix things up, move things around and put together the best lineup that we can both defensively and offensively,” Hunt said. “Ben came through in the clutch, but they don’t get those opportunities without the guys ahead of them getting on base.”
Brant Wood scored Fluvanna’s lone run in the first. Gibson struck out five for Fluvanna and opened the game with three scoreless innings.
Monticello will host Louisa in a crucial Jefferson District clash Tuesday night while Fluvanna will take on Spotswood Monday.
