MCFARLAND - Even in a 5-2 losing effort, the Cheesemakers were perfectly satisfied with the sacred event that is opening night.
That is, until the drive home.
"Depression did hit when we had to drive home in the snow," Monroe coach Steve Christensen said.
Despite a clumsy second inning that resulted in four Spartans runs, the Cheeesmakers' coach was altogether happy with the fundamentals displayed in a rare outdoors appearance for both clubs.
"Despite the cold and drizzle, we remained fairly focused on baseball," Christensen said. "For the amount of time both teams had outside to practice, the game was played pretty cleanly and it looked like baseball."
McFarland built a second-inning lead from which Monroe wouldn't recover as the Cheesemakers threw a pair of hit batsmen and a misplayed pickoff attempt into the mix with three McFarland hits.
When junior starter Mitch Tordoff didn't err inside, he was consistently around the zone and the two errors committed in the second were the only ones for the Cheesemakers.
Monroe put together its only rally in the top of the final inning in the seventh. Josh Popanz led off with a walk. Jake Teasdale singled him to third with Teasdale scooting into second on the throw.
Then, senior catcher extraordinaire Kyle Klopfenstein flashed some clutch hitting as he singled Popanz home. After a pair of strikeouts, Taylor Weckerly singled in Teasdale.
Perhaps jacked up to be outdoors, Monroe batters fanned five times in the first two innings.
"But the second time through we made some adjustments which was good to see," Christensen said. "We didn't expect to be perfect with our limited outside practice time, but both the kids and myself were pleased with the effort and they seemed to enjoy themselves."
Monroe's next scheduled game and home-opener will be part of a doubleheader Saturday when Baraboo swings down for an 11 a.m. opening pitch.
That is, until the drive home.
"Depression did hit when we had to drive home in the snow," Monroe coach Steve Christensen said.
Despite a clumsy second inning that resulted in four Spartans runs, the Cheeesmakers' coach was altogether happy with the fundamentals displayed in a rare outdoors appearance for both clubs.
"Despite the cold and drizzle, we remained fairly focused on baseball," Christensen said. "For the amount of time both teams had outside to practice, the game was played pretty cleanly and it looked like baseball."
McFarland built a second-inning lead from which Monroe wouldn't recover as the Cheesemakers threw a pair of hit batsmen and a misplayed pickoff attempt into the mix with three McFarland hits.
When junior starter Mitch Tordoff didn't err inside, he was consistently around the zone and the two errors committed in the second were the only ones for the Cheesemakers.
Monroe put together its only rally in the top of the final inning in the seventh. Josh Popanz led off with a walk. Jake Teasdale singled him to third with Teasdale scooting into second on the throw.
Then, senior catcher extraordinaire Kyle Klopfenstein flashed some clutch hitting as he singled Popanz home. After a pair of strikeouts, Taylor Weckerly singled in Teasdale.
Perhaps jacked up to be outdoors, Monroe batters fanned five times in the first two innings.
"But the second time through we made some adjustments which was good to see," Christensen said. "We didn't expect to be perfect with our limited outside practice time, but both the kids and myself were pleased with the effort and they seemed to enjoy themselves."
Monroe's next scheduled game and home-opener will be part of a doubleheader Saturday when Baraboo swings down for an 11 a.m. opening pitch.
