grizzlyjournal
Well-known member
Despite chilly temps, Montana's double-header sweep of Carroll College (9-1 & 7-5) was well-attended and the games enjoyable. Junior Allie Brock pitched a solid first-game win and got 9 hits & balanced offensive support from a young team playing without senior center fielder Julie Phelps. Brock limited the Saints to one hit while soph rf Presli Jantzi hit a 3-run triple and soph 1b Hannah Jablonski hit a 2-run walkoff homer (her first of 2) in the bottom of the 5th.
The second game was of more interest to me because sr. pitcher Maggie Joseph -- still recuperating from injury last season -- pitched very well through 4 innings, limiting the Saints to 1 run, before being relieved by frosh Grace Haegele. The Saints tied the score at 4-4 in the 5th off Haegele, aided by a costly 3-run Griz throwing error. The Griz responded with a 3-run 5th before things got interesting in the top of the 7th. The Saints got 2 leadoff hits off Haegle & so coach Meuchel brought Joseph back into the game where the senior -- after giving up a single that scored a run -- got a force-out and then polished off the win with back-to-back strikeouts and the win. Hard to make predictions from this single game, but it seemed clear to me that Joseph gets stronger with each outing. If that continues, it'll be a good sign going into conference play where 3-game series require solid outings from at least two starters. A healthy Joseph seems to be a key to Montana's success in conference play.
Sophomore first baseman Jablonski was impressive to me defensively... which she backed up with two homers on the day. Junior dp Kelly Sweyer (homer) and soph rf Presli Jantzi (double, triple) had solid offensive outings. Jr Elise Ontiveros played outstanding D in center field and sr. Kendall Curtis anchored the infield at 2b. I think coach Meuchel is still experimenting with the left side of the infield as two players alternated (4 total) at both 3b and ss. Montana also displayed some aggressive baserunning that I haven't seen from this team before... two stolen bases and a heady, beautiful run-scoring slide into home by Curtis with a perfectly placed hand slap on home under the glove of the Saints catcher.
Though the box score indicates that frosh pitcher Haegele struggled, it's my opinion she pitched far better than the box shows. The lone Montana error led directly to 3 Saints runs. I was positively impressed with Haegele's potential and composure.
There was speculation earlier here at eGriz that Montana's home schedule may have been impacted by scheduling difficulties. I heard from a Griz insider that was indeed definitely the case. A D1 team scheduled to play 3 games in Missoula this week evidently backed out just prior to preseason play, leaving Montana unable to schedule a replacement team.
The second game was of more interest to me because sr. pitcher Maggie Joseph -- still recuperating from injury last season -- pitched very well through 4 innings, limiting the Saints to 1 run, before being relieved by frosh Grace Haegele. The Saints tied the score at 4-4 in the 5th off Haegele, aided by a costly 3-run Griz throwing error. The Griz responded with a 3-run 5th before things got interesting in the top of the 7th. The Saints got 2 leadoff hits off Haegle & so coach Meuchel brought Joseph back into the game where the senior -- after giving up a single that scored a run -- got a force-out and then polished off the win with back-to-back strikeouts and the win. Hard to make predictions from this single game, but it seemed clear to me that Joseph gets stronger with each outing. If that continues, it'll be a good sign going into conference play where 3-game series require solid outings from at least two starters. A healthy Joseph seems to be a key to Montana's success in conference play.
Sophomore first baseman Jablonski was impressive to me defensively... which she backed up with two homers on the day. Junior dp Kelly Sweyer (homer) and soph rf Presli Jantzi (double, triple) had solid offensive outings. Jr Elise Ontiveros played outstanding D in center field and sr. Kendall Curtis anchored the infield at 2b. I think coach Meuchel is still experimenting with the left side of the infield as two players alternated (4 total) at both 3b and ss. Montana also displayed some aggressive baserunning that I haven't seen from this team before... two stolen bases and a heady, beautiful run-scoring slide into home by Curtis with a perfectly placed hand slap on home under the glove of the Saints catcher.
Though the box score indicates that frosh pitcher Haegele struggled, it's my opinion she pitched far better than the box shows. The lone Montana error led directly to 3 Saints runs. I was positively impressed with Haegele's potential and composure.
There was speculation earlier here at eGriz that Montana's home schedule may have been impacted by scheduling difficulties. I heard from a Griz insider that was indeed definitely the case. A D1 team scheduled to play 3 games in Missoula this week evidently backed out just prior to preseason play, leaving Montana unable to schedule a replacement team.