Monticello’s veterans leading the way

Monticello Coach Josh Soper emphasized the importance of a strong start to his team in the weeks leading up to the regular season.

The experienced Panthers delivered exactly what their head coach said they needed.

Class 2A sixth-ranked Monticello has jumped to a 10-1 record. The early season success includes victories over two ranked 3A foes.

Eight of 12 upperclassmen on the roster are seniors. They are determined to get the most of their final high school season.

'They are really hungry,' Soper said. 'Every night they are playing like their last game.'

The senior class has been part of 102 wins, including this season's hot start and their first eligible season as eighth-graders. The Panthers have made a regular trip to the district final, falling in the postseason to powers Dyersville Beckman and Cascade the last three years.

'We've always felt like we've got a team that can compete and make the tournament,' Soper said. 'I do think 2A baseball in Eastern Iowa is extremely difficult, so you have to be good but you have to have a little bit of luck along the way, too.'

Soper said the talent exists for Monticello to reach Principal Park in Des Moines. The Panthers are focused on the little steps along the way to make big strides, like a state appearance and their first conference title in decades.

'We want to get 1 percent better every day,' Soper said. 'We want to make sure we are focused on the process. We're not looking at it's got to be this or bust. We just want to keep getting better and fight hard. Wherever the chips fall, that's where they fall.'

Monticello topped then-3A No. 8 Vinton-Shellsburg, 7-2, and edged 3A third-ranked Dubuque Wahlert, 5-3, in consecutive days. The Panthers' only setback was a 4-1 loss to 2A second-ranked and unbeaten Wilton. Monticello has handled the rest of the competition, allowing just one run in the other seven games.

Pitching and defense have been a staple of the Panthers this season. They have committed only six errors through the first 10 games and have a team earned-run average of 0.68.

Cody Menster, who overcame shoulder problems a year ago, has a 3-0 record and has struck out 30 batters in 19 innings pitched, walking just one and hitting another. He has allowed just five hits and only one runner has reached third.

Mason Newhard is 2-1 with 24 strikeouts in a little more than 17 innings, while Ryan Manternach is 2-0. Sophomores Kegan Arduser earned the win and Manternach, also a sophomore, threw three innings of relief against Wahlert.

Soper said four pitchers reach speeds from 75 to 85 miles per hour, but they know how to pitch instead of just throwing.

'We have a shot to win every night with one of those guys on the mound,' said Soper, who praised Newhard for becoming more of a vocal leader this season and described him as an on-field coach. 'We're very athletic (defensively). We make plays most teams probably don't make, but we also make the routine plays because we don't beat ourselves.'

RATH RACKS UP Ks

Highland's Chase Rath struck out 18 batters against host Keokuk on June 4. The performance tied the second-best single-game performance this season. Pekin's Keaton Winn also struck out 18 against Davis County on May 23, only to be outdone by Humboldt's Chris Witzke, who fanned 19 against Clarion-Goldfield-Dows on June 1.

Rath (2-1) is tied for fourth in Class 1A and tied for ninth in all classes with 37 strikeouts this season. He owns a 0.37 ERA. Against Keokuk, Rath allowed just two hits and an unearned run, while walking four.

COACHES RANKINGS

The Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association released its second installment of state rankings Monday. The Metro is well represented in the Class 4A.

Cedar Rapids Prairie leads the way, sitting fourth after winning its first nine games of the season, including its first Bob Vrbicek Metro tournament title.

Cedar Rapids Jefferson is fifth and Cedar Rapids Kennedy is eighth. The Cougars avenged a loss to Prairie in the Metro tournament, sweeping a home-and-home set earlier this week.

Iowa City West is the top-ranked team in 4A, sweeping Jefferson and beating third-ranked West Des Moines Valley, 7-5, on the road Wednesday.

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