“Monticello finally got to play a baseball game,” said Coach Scott Smice with excitement.

For the next two seasons, Albany has joined Monticello baseball. Beginning this season at the high school level, the two schools will co-op to play a division 4 conference schedule, playing schools from both the Six Rivers East and West conferences and moving up to division 3 for post-season play. Scott Smice remains head coach, Rich Wachholz from Albany will serve as the assistant coach, along with Brian Grossen. Ron Blumer will also be assisting when possible.

“The numbers for the roster this season is at 19 players; 13 from Monticello and six from Albany. We will play a 22-game regular season schedule with home games being played in Monticello at the school baseball field. On occasion, games could be moved to Albany depending on weather and field conditions,” said Coach Scott Smice. “We are still very young, with only three total seniors on the team, and only Travis McCoy and Braden Gafner have baseball experience, who will be looked at to lead this combined team. After that we have a mix of sophomores, juniors and three freshmen. It should be challenging as well as competitive as we get ready for our first season as a combined baseball program.” 

The recent weather had been less than ideal for spring sports, and after many delays, cancellations and reschedules, the Monticello/Albany team hosted Cassville for a Double Header on Friday, April 20th.

Monticello/Albany lost the opener, 0-2. Cassville scored both runs in the 1st inning and Monticello/Albany left double digit base runners stranded throughout the game.

“Travis McCoy pitched a great game, but Monticello just couldn’t get that hit,” said Smice.

The second game was won by Monticello/Albany, 6-5 in five innings.

“This will be the norm for double headers for everyone because of the bad weather we have had, shortening the season to try and make-up games and still have enough pitching left,” explained Smice. 

In the 1st inning, Monticello/Albany scored two runs and four runs were scored in the 2nd. Cassville kept up with the Monticello/Albany team and threatened to take the win in the bottom of the 5th, but their runners were thrown out at home plate.

Andy Eyler and Corbin Kelly shared pitching duties for the team.

The team hosted Pecatonica on April 23rd, then Barneveld on April 24th before playing two DH games in a row. The first is at Belmont on Friday, and then the team will travel to Benton/Shullsburg on Saturday.