For the third time in a week, CJ Goodwald earns a victory. Last Wednesday Rockford, on Saturday Sobiesky and now Monticello.

With each passing inning, CJ is getting back into pitching shape. Last year he had the high school baseball season behind him. This year he had not touched a ball until getting back from college.

Although CJ is returning to form, the Polecats almost scored in the first. With a man on first, the Monti catcher Chuck Earlandson jumped on a pitch up in the zone and lined a ball down the left field line into the pines. It looked like the Polecats had a two run lead but the ump, who was standing on the foul line called Chuck back to the plate saying the ball went foul before leaving the park.

The visitors didn’t score in the top of the first but the Diamond Devils started out red hot. With one out, KC Johnson, Brad Mazer and Adam Gregg singled to load the bases. Brandon Schliinz doubled to deep left center to score two runs. Adam Gregg scored the final run of the innings in the next at bat when a throw from the catcher back to the pitcher went into center.

The Devils extended the lead in the third when Brad Mazer lined a double to left field. Brad came around to score the final run of the game for the Devils when Adam Gregg singled.

The visitors started to make some noise in the eighth. With one out and a runner at first, CJ walked the batter. The Polecats’ Alex Stein singled to left scoring a run. An error on the play by the Devil’s left fielder gave Monti runners at the corners. A ground ball to second resulted in an unearned run and the final run of the game.

After 115 pitches CJ did not enter the ninth. Upon learning that he would not pitch the final inning he threw his cap and told the coach he was still good and could pitch. However, CJ would have to watch Pat McPherson earn the save by pitching a three up and three down ninth.