Cole shines again as Maroons win battle of area giants

May 15—CHAMPAIGN — You couldn't have asked for a better day. No wind, 70 degrees, not a cloud in the sky.

And you couldn't have asked for a better matchup, as Champaign Central hosted Monticello on Thursday at Spalding Park in a battle between two of the area's best baseball teams. The Maroons ultimately pulled away for a comfortable 7-0 win, just what they were looking for two weeks from the start of postseason play.

"We were excited to see a good challenge," Central senior Tre Cole said. "We haven't had competition as good as this for a few weeks, so it was good to see them to get us ready for the postseason. Our goals for success are down the road, so it was good to get a win against them and give us some momentum."

It was another day at the office for Cole, who was just as effective as he's been all season. He struck out 11 batters in 6 1/3 innings pitched while only allowing three hits. He did issue five walks and hit another batter, but he worked out of every jam to keep the zero on the scoreboard. On top of that, he also helped himself out at the plate with a pair of hits and an RBI.

"He's throwing well," Central coach John Staab said. "You feel good when you pencil him in at pitcher because he's going to give you a chance."

Cole has taken that next step as a pitcher this season. Last year, it was like Staab was hoping to catch lighting in a bottle each time he gave Cole the ball. This year, he's been one of the most consistently dominant pitchers in the area.

"I've just been keeping a solid mindset and always coming out here ready to compete," Cole said. "It doesn't matter who the opponent is, I just try to perform to the best of my ability and stay consistent."

His best was plenty enough on Thursday, as his teammates gave him a two-run cushion right out of the gate.

Ben McDaniel started a two-out rally in the first inning with a double, and Cole followed him with a single. Cole stole second base and later advanced to third while McDaniel scored the game-s first run on a wild pitch. Nic Bralts walked, and that's when Staab put on a first-and-third play to steal a run. Bralts shuffled his way off first base, intentionally getting into a rundown to allow Cole time to pick the right moment to make a sprint for home. Staab said they practice that play at least once a week, and they executed it to perfection, giving the Maroons (23-6) a 2-0 lead.

"Coach gave the sign, I got a good lead, Tre got a good jump and we just got on them quick," Bralts said. "It was a great designed play, and it was huge to get on them early, especially a team like that."

A few innings later, Ian Weber laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt, and the next inning, Bryce Clark came in to pinch run and got a good read on a pitch in the dirt to advance to third base. Those are the little things Staab said will be most important down the stretch.

"We've been preaching that stuff all year, so that was really good to see," Staab said. "You see those types of things in regional championships and sectionals, and it's our hope to get back to those situations. You're going to need those if you're going to go on a postseason run."