Home Talent: Montello rallies late to knock off Poynette

So far this season, the Poynette Indians’ defense has been top-notch. It failed them at Montello on Sunday in a 12-4 road loss in a battle of Home Talent Eastern Section teams.

“We weren’t at our best today and it cost us,” said Davy Tomlinson, manager for Poynette. “After the second, their pitcher settled in and did a good job the rest of the way. We had a few defensive errors today, which is uncommon for us. We need to get back to excellent defense the rest of the way.”

Poynette led 4-2 until the seventh inning, when Montello put five runs on the board. Montello added another five in the eighth to pull away.

Ian Nowell went 2-for-4 to lead the way for the Indians, who went three up, three down six times in the last seven innings. The only baserunner in that stretch for Poynette was a batter who walked in the eighth.

In all, Poynette allowed seven free baserunners, including five walks and two batters who were hit by pitches. Andy Knuteson took the loss, throwing six and two-thirds innings and allowing five earned runs on nine hits and four walks. He struck out one. Riley Radewan tossed an inning and a third, giving up two earned runs on four hits with one walk and one strikeout.

In the second inning, Nowell, Jake Keller and Radewan all singles to load the bases. Dacota Potter walked to force in a run, and Carson Frost was hit by a pitch to bring in another, before Knuteson walked to plate another. Tomlinson’s RBI walk capped the scoring.

Poynette is now 5-9 overall, including a 2-4 mark in league play. The Indians are 1-4 in Night League and 1-2 in exhibition play.

On Wednesday, Poynette plays Sun Prairie at Ziggy’s Field in Windsor at 7 p.m. and travels to Waterloo on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Ashton 12, Poynette 0

Exploding for eight runs in the fifth on six singles, a double and a home run, the A’s ended the night early.

Two players had one hit for Poynette, including Joel Thimsen, who led off the first inning with a double. Ashton outhit Poynette 14-2.

Radewan, Knuteson and Potter all pitched for Poynette, who went three up, three down from the third inning through the fifth.

Ashton had no errors and turned two double plays.

“We played well defensively, but Ashton really had a great night offensively,” said Tomlinson. “They certainly earned their runs tonight. Their pitcher did a good job of keeping us off balance with his sidearm delivery. Also, we seemed a little rusty after a week off.”