DOWNSVILLE, La. — After a 10-run explosion in their last game with Spearsville, the Wolves’ bats struggled to get going in an eight-inning 4-3 loss to Grace Christian in the second round of the Downsville Tournament.

Grace Christian got on the scoreboard first with a two-run third inning on a walk and a Monterey error.

The score remained 2-0 until the Wolves answered in the top of the fifth. Monterey’s starting pitcher, Jared Ensminger, lead off the inning with a single and eventually came around to score on a error.

Grace came back in the bottom of the fifth inning to take a 3-1 lead.

The Wolves came alive offensively in the top of the sixth as Beau Shively and Billy Metcalf each scored a run and Brennen Russell picked up an RBI to tie the score at 3-3.

The game remained tied until a dramatic bottom of the eighth.

Grace Christian loaded the bases with nobody out, and looked to put the game away quickly.

But the Wolves were not going to go down easily.

DC Carlock, Grace’s seventh place hitter, came to the plate and popped a ball in the air that pitcher Billy Metcalf dove for and caught. Monterey almost doubled off the runner on third, but they mishandled the throw from Metcalf.

Metcalf got ahead on the next batter one balls two strikes, but on the fourth pitch the Grace batter hit a soft liner into left field to end the game.

The Wolves got another solid pitching performance which helped overcome some offensive struggles.

Starting pitcher Jared Ensminger pitched four innings giving up two runs on three hits, while striking out three and walking five. Billy Metcalf came in relief of Ensminger and pitched three and a third innings giving up two runs on three hits, while walking three and striking out one.

“It took a while for us to get going offensively, but our pitching was good. It kept us in the ballgame until we were able to stack up some runs. Grace Christian was just able to make one more play than we did”, said Monterey Head Coach Eric Richard.

Jon Lipsey had a good day behind the plate for the Wolves throwing out one baserunner and picking off another. The Wolves were solid defensively all around the field which helped the pitchers have a good day despite giving up eight walks.

Monterey hosts Block High School on Monday with Junior Varsity starting at 3:30 and Varsity action beginning at 5:30.

I’ll give you call to make sure you get it.