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The pitching was there for the Highland Cardinals in their doubleheader with Monticello Friday.
But, it still only allowed the Cardinals to fashion a split in the Six Rivers twinbill.
Monticello's Lucas Kolash turned in a 16 strikeout three hit 2-1 win in the first game.
Branden McCollough took the hard luck loss with a nine strikeout, four hitter over 6 1/3 innings. Mitchell Riley came on to record the last two outs on strikeouts.
McCollough had a no hitter until the fifth when he gave up a flare just over the mound. After picking off that runner, he then walked a batter then the bases became loaded on an error and an intentional pass.
Kolash then delivered a two run single that stood up for the win.
The Cardinals scored their lone run in the first on a walk to Sawyer Mensch who stole second and scored on an rbi single by Tyler Kleist.
Bailey Bodenstein and Nic Pierick had the other two Highland hits.
"Kolash pitched very well but so did Branden," said Highland coach Terry Cool. "We just didn't score enough runs."
The Cardinals threatened in the sixth with Pierick singled and stole second. He was caught stealing third to end the frame.
Pierick took the mound the second game and turned in a 10-0 shutout win. The Cardinals junior struck out 13 and did not walk a batter in a two hitter. He also had a pair of doubles in Highland's offensive attack.
Kleist was 4x4 with a bases clearing double that ended the game in the fifth. Bailey Bodenstein had a three run double in the fifth and Pierick had two rbis in the third.
The Cardinals broke the game open with seven runs in the fifth, all after two outs.