WAUNAKEE - Monroe senior Chase Hellenbrand went 2-for-2 with two RBI to propel the Chee-semakers to a 4-3 win over Waunakee in the Badger Challenge Saturday.
Monroe's Lucas Neuenschwander pitched six solid innings to get the win. He gave up two earned runs on three hits and walked just one. Sophomore Hogan Edwards pitched 2/3 of an inning in relief and gave up one run. He struck out one and walked one. Hellenbrand earned the save by recording the final out on a grounder to third with the game-tying run on third base and the go-ahead run on first base.
Monroe (12-9, 3-7 Badger South) has won seven of its last nine games and are 5-2 in games decided by two runs or less during that span.
"They have had to step up and make plays and get clutch hits," Monroe coach Dustin Huffman said. "It's probably how it will be in the postseason so it's good to have those games."
Neuenschwander shut the Warriors down for six innings. Huffman likes the way he attacked hitters despite giving up a solo home run in the third inning.
"He (Neuenschwander) was hitting his spots," Huffman said. "He was keeping the ball low in the zone. He had them off-balance. He was throwing his changeup and curveball really well."
Monroe senior Desmond Ford went 3-for-3 and junior Jaron Kuester was 2-for-2 with one RBI. Monroe's Carter Adkins finished 2-for-4. The Cheesemakers had a lot more scoring opportunities and left 12 on base.
With five games left, Huffman wants to see the Cheesemakers try to earn a No. 2 seed in the regional.
"If we can get up to 14 wins we have a chance to get a No. 2 seed and get a bye," he said. "That is what we are shooting for."
Monroe's Lucas Neuenschwander pitched six solid innings to get the win. He gave up two earned runs on three hits and walked just one. Sophomore Hogan Edwards pitched 2/3 of an inning in relief and gave up one run. He struck out one and walked one. Hellenbrand earned the save by recording the final out on a grounder to third with the game-tying run on third base and the go-ahead run on first base.
Monroe (12-9, 3-7 Badger South) has won seven of its last nine games and are 5-2 in games decided by two runs or less during that span.
"They have had to step up and make plays and get clutch hits," Monroe coach Dustin Huffman said. "It's probably how it will be in the postseason so it's good to have those games."
Neuenschwander shut the Warriors down for six innings. Huffman likes the way he attacked hitters despite giving up a solo home run in the third inning.
"He (Neuenschwander) was hitting his spots," Huffman said. "He was keeping the ball low in the zone. He had them off-balance. He was throwing his changeup and curveball really well."
Monroe senior Desmond Ford went 3-for-3 and junior Jaron Kuester was 2-for-2 with one RBI. Monroe's Carter Adkins finished 2-for-4. The Cheesemakers had a lot more scoring opportunities and left 12 on base.
With five games left, Huffman wants to see the Cheesemakers try to earn a No. 2 seed in the regional.
"If we can get up to 14 wins we have a chance to get a No. 2 seed and get a bye," he said. "That is what we are shooting for."
