In a game heard on WHOW, WEZC, and at dewittdailynews.com, Monticello sophomore Koyie Williams was called upon with two outs in the first inning in relief of ace Luke Teschke and carried Monticello the rest of the way to a 3-1 Class 2A Regional Championship win over Clinton Saturday from the Wilkey Complex in Monticello.
Teshke was visibly not himself to start the game and after a swinging strike to Brooks Cluver after permitting a run, stepped off and was tended to on the mound by assistant coach Conner Groce before firing one practice pitch and promptly was relieved.
Williams came on with a runner at third and two outs and got Cluver to ground to third to end the inning. From there, the sophomore right-hander would permit only five total base runners - two hits, a hit batsman, a walk, and an error.
Mason Walker was brilliant on the mound for the Maroons. The senior lefty kept the Sages bats quiet through 3 1/3 innings but after a seventh straight out recorded via strikeout, walked Jacob Long and then Ike Young hit an infield single. Colton Vance was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Monticello.
A weak fly ball to right field brought in Long with the Sages' first run - a close play at the plate that went the way of Monticello.
Raiden Colbert followed with an RBI hit that gave Monticello the lead 2-1. Clinton Coach Nate Ennis hustled to the mound and relieved his senior who finished with 3 2/3 innings allowing three runs on three hits, issued three walks, and struck out eight.
Preston Curtis relieved Walker and was greeted with an RBI double from Teschke who gave Monticello a 3-1 lead.
Jaxon Reynolds made a run-saving catch in right field on a sinking line drive by Matt Swartz that ended the inning and the Monticello rally.
The Maroons threatened in the top of the fifth inning. Curtis walked to start the inning. Jaxon Reynolds singled into left field setting up first and second with zero outs of Brock Wilson at the top of the order.
A grounder to Monticello shortstop Carter Foran took him to his right and he was able to get the lead runner at third base for the first out.
Mason Walker flew out to right field before Josh Bass popped out to shortstop to end the threat.
Walker earned the Clinton ServPro of Piatt/DeWitt Counties player of the game for his efforts in the victory.
Williams was the Monticello ServPro of Piatt/DeWitt Counties player of the game as he led the Sages to its second Regional championship in three seasons.
Reynolds was 2-for-3 for the Maroons while Walker reached base twice on a fielder's choice and was hit by a pitch and scored a run. Colton Walker had the only RBI on the game for Clinton with a sac fly in the first inning.
Teschke was 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI, and a stolen base for the Sages. Colbert was 2-for-3 with an RBI.
The Maroons end a banner year 22-9 overall.
Monticello is 30-4. They move on to the Millikin Sectional next Wednesday where they'll meet Westville at 7 pm. Hear Wednesday's action on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com.