Monticello baseball downs Dove Creek for first win, softball team finally plays opening games

by Rhett Sifford
Sports Editor
It’s still up in the air as to whether the Monticello High School baseball and softball teams are going to get a chance to play a home game on their actual home fields this spring. Neither have to this point, and the teams are already into the second half of their respective regular seasons.
In fact, after this week both teams have just two home stands each remaining on their respective schedules. The baseball team is scheduled to host North Sevier on Tuesday, April 18 and North Summit on Tuesday, May 2 in a couple of region doubleheaders.
The baseball team did recently get one “home” game in, although they and their opponents were forced to travel to Moab to make it happen since the Monticello fields remain unplayable.
The Buckaroos “hosted” the Dove Creek Bulldogs Friday, March 31 in a showdown between local teams and it was MHS opening the scoring with one run in the first inning.
It was quiet offensively for both teams for the following three innings until the teams plated two runs each in the fifth.
Monticello added a run in the bottom of the sixth inning to stretch their lead to 4-2. When Dove Creek could only muster one run in the top of the seventh Monticello had technically won the game.
But both teams, itching to get some time on a field somewhere, continued play through the bottom of the seventh. The Bucks got one more baserunner across the plate in that frame for a 5-3 final.
It was a big step for an MHS baseball program that has obviously struggled to get field time this season. However, following the win Monticello traveled to Duchesne where they were swept in a region doubleheader by the Eagles.
The Buckaroos were 1-6 on the season heading into this week, ranked ninth in the Utah 2A RPI standings.
They were supposed to host the rival San Juan Broncos on Tuesday, April 11 but that game was moved to Blanding due to the ongoing field issues in Monticello.
Additionally, the Broncos and Bucks will meet a second time this week on Friday, April 14. That one was already scheduled to take place in Blanding, so there are no changes expected there.
Softball
It’s a challenge to get any high school sports program underway from the ground up. Add to that the field issues Monticello teams have faced this year, and you’ll find a new softball team that is way behind the curve.
But the Monticello High School softball team is giving it their all and battling through adversity, despite the fact that they play in a region that’s full of strong 2A teams.
The Lady Buckaroos have three games under their belt, two losses to Wayne and one to San Juan. At the beginning of the week they were scheduled to play just one game – another matchup with the rival Lady Broncos on Tuesday, April 11 in Blanding.
That game was played after the San Juan Record print deadline. Monticello won’t take the field again until next Tuesday, April 18 when they travel to face the South Sevier Lady Rams in a region doubleheader.