When sophomore Josh Malm gets the call and takes the mound, Monticello doesn’t need a lot in the offensive department to notch a win.
Apparently the Mustangs don’t even need an RBI.
Monticello scratched out two runs on errant pitches against powerful Sherando on the road Wednesday night, winning 2-1 over the Indians in the Region II quarterfinals.
With the victory, the Mustangs will play for a state tournament berth Thursday night on the road against Loudoun Valley at 6 p.m.
Malm was his usual self, striking out five in a complete game effort on 105 total pitches. Malm walked just two and surrendered five total hits, holding Sherando at bay. He settled in after giving up a run in the first inning and shut out the Indians in the final six innings.
Monticello had just three hits on the night with a Sam Patterson triple highlighting the offensive effort. Connor Lilley and Devin Dickerson had the other two hits. Patterson and Dickerson scored the lone two runs.
Northwestern District pitcher of the year Darrell Thompson largely held Monticello in check for Sherando on the mound, striking out eight and allowing just three hits and two walks.
The loss cut short a tremendous year for the Indians, who also had Northwest District player of the year Tre Porter and five total first team All-District players.
It extends Monticello’s postseason run that got a jumpstart in the Jefferson District semifinals with a rain-shortened win over Louisa County that secured a Region II tournament berth and continued against Woodgrove in a 4-3 win earlier this week.
