After a long, hard fight from both teams, the Lions came up short against the Monticello Mustangs putting them 2-5 on the season. Senior, Owen Agee started his first game of the season, throwing four solid innings and allowing just two runs on the night. Luke Page got the ball for the Mustangs.
Both pitchers started the night strong, throwing back-to-back 1-2-3 innings. Louisa posed an early threat in the top of the second with a one-out single by Michael Barber. Logan Fifer followed by reaching on an error. Barber was brought in by a sacrifice fly from Zion Villines to give the Lions a 1-0 lead over Monticello. Agee gave up a leadoff double in the bottom of the second followed by a walk. Agee gave up another walk and a single, bringing in two runs for the Mustangs. A line out would end the Mustangs’ threat bringing up Larry Labarge in the top of the third.
Back-to-back errors and a hit by pitch brought in the tying run for the Lions, but they failed to take the lead. Agee gave up two singles in the bottom half of the third, but the Mustangs couldn’t produce a run and the inning was over.
The Lions produced two baserunners in the top of the fourth, but a flyout ended the inning. Once again, Agee dominated the mound, throwing a 1-2-3 inning with two strikeouts. Grayson Bush followed with a 1-2-3 inning of his own, keeping the game tied at 2. Senior, Garrett Duerson came into pitch for Agee in the bottom of the fifth, allowing a leadoff single to Bush. Another base runner and a double would score two for the Mustangs, giving them a 4-2 lead over Louisa. Monticello scored another run on a two-out single from Cam Critzer, securing the lead for the Mustangs.
Bush came in to close the game for Monticello allowing a leadoff walk to Labarge but recorded three quick outs to secure the win for the Mustangs.
The Lions are heading to Myrtle Beach to play in a tournament during spring break and plan to take it one day at a time. “We need to have more energy,” said Agee. “We need to be more focused going into the game.” The Lions are set to play Fluvanna in a JV/ Varsity doubleheader at home on Tuesday, April 23. Let’s Go Lions.
