Millstadt’s Rob Beatty smacks a hit on Sunday against Waterloo. (Corey Saathoff photos)

In a battle of first place Monroe Division teams, Mon-Clair League rivals Waterloo and Millstadt played a doubleheader in the sweltering late-spring heat Sunday at Mueth Field.

After all the sweat and dust, the two teams still remain tied atop the division.

The Millers used a nine-run second inning to dominate the first game, 16-5. But the host Green Machine came back strong in the second game, winning 7-2.

In game one, James Perry went 4-for-4 with four RBIs for the Millers. Lucas Wetzler went 3-for-4 with three RBIs and Garrett Schlecht added a 2-for-4 showing with three RBIs.

Jeff Hightower went 2-for-2 with a long triple and three RBIs for Millstadt.

In game two, Millstadt pitcher Otto Roberts cooled the Waterloo bats, throwing a complete game gem with five strikeouts.

Rob Beatty, who leads the Green Machine in hitting at .444, went 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Jared Mueth added a 2-for-3 showing on the game two scorecard with two RBIs.

Schlecht continued his hot hitting with two hits and an RBI for the Millers in game two.

On Friday, the Millers blanked the St. Louis Printers at home, 9-0.

Ken Wilson leads the Millers in hitting so far this season at .478 (11-for-23). Jeremy Rettig leads the Waterloo pitching staff at 2-1 with a 0.66 ERA.

Waterloo and Millstadt are tied at 7-3 in the division heading into play this weekend.

The Millers will travel to Jackson, Mo., this Saturday to battle the league newcomer Charleston Riverdogs. On Sunday, Waterloo will play two games at Columbia.

Millstadt will take on the St. Louis Spikes at CBC High School on Saturday, followed by a Sunday afternoon doubleheader at Edwardsville.

In other Mon-Clair action from this past weekend, the Valmeyer Lakers improved to 3-7 in the division with a Sunday doubleheader sweep at Columbia.

The Lakers won by scores of 5-2 and 6-0 over the Saints, who are also 3-7 in the division.

The Lakers are led on offense so far this season by Gibault graduate Wes Degener, who is hitting a sizzling .500 (10-for-20). He is followed by Matt Reinholz (.389) and Jeremiah Bergheger (.333).

Leading the way for the Saints on offense this season is Adam Henke at .412. On the mound, Milton Pinkston is 2-1 with a 1.24 ERA.

Valmeyer hosts the St. Louis Printers for two games on Saturday and will then host the Belleville Rockies on Sunday.

Columbia plays at Fairview Heights on Saturday, followed by Sunday’s doubleheader against Waterloo.