MONROE - The Cheesemakers are playing with poise and confidence just over a quarter of the way into the season. Starting pitcher Kris Rieder allowed just one hit through six innings as Monroe pulled out a gritty 2-1 win over Monona Grove Thursday.
"Kris was out there with all the confidence in the world," Cheesemakers head coach Dustin Huffman said. "His velocity was up, he was hitting his spots. He was in a great rhythm and throwing his offspeed pitches for strikes."
Rieder struck out six and walked five while picking up the win.
"That was probably the best I've pitched in a long time," Rieder said. "My curveball was working."
Monroe's offense sputtered in the first before getting going in the second. The Cheesemakers left two on base in the opening inning.
In the second, with two outs, No. 8 hitter Justin Rackow walked and nine-hitter Michael Turek singled to center to again put two on.
"Turek has been struggling, but we've stuck with him. It's great to see him come through like that," Huffman said.
Mitch Marty, Monroe's leadoff hitter, then singled in the first run up the middle. Two-hitter Dylan Schwitz, who went 2-for-3, followed with a tough fly ball to center against the wind in which the center fielder couldn't make the play. Turek scored and Schwitz ended up at second with a double.
"Early in the season, the bottom of the order has been setting the table for the top," Huffman said. "We want a guy like Marty to come through, because we know he can."
That would be it for Monroe's offense. The Cheesemakers had just three baserunners over the final five innings. But with the way Rieder was pitching, Monroe just needed to play defense.
"We know that if someone fails or makes an error, someone else is going to be there to pick them up," said Rieder, who picked off two runners at first base.
Monona Grove scored its only run in the sixth. With two outs and runners on first and second, Taylor Meyers hit a line drive to Rackow in right, who dropped the ball. One run came in, but Schwitz took the next grounder unassisted to second to end the threat.
In the seventh, Schwitz and second baseman Taylor Riese turned a game-ending 6-4-3 double play, giving Marty the save.
The win puts the Cheesemakers at 5-1 overall on the young season (2-0 in the Badger South), something Huffman said he was pleased to see. Monroe won just nine games a year ago, five of which in conference play.
Monroe travels to Oregon Tuesday for its next contest.
The Cheesemakers were originally scheduled to host Orangeville tonight, but the game has been moved to May 10 at the request of Orangeville. The junior varsity game on May 10 will be played in Orangeville. Both games will start at 4:30 p.m.
"Kris was out there with all the confidence in the world," Cheesemakers head coach Dustin Huffman said. "His velocity was up, he was hitting his spots. He was in a great rhythm and throwing his offspeed pitches for strikes."
Rieder struck out six and walked five while picking up the win.
"That was probably the best I've pitched in a long time," Rieder said. "My curveball was working."
Monroe's offense sputtered in the first before getting going in the second. The Cheesemakers left two on base in the opening inning.
In the second, with two outs, No. 8 hitter Justin Rackow walked and nine-hitter Michael Turek singled to center to again put two on.
"Turek has been struggling, but we've stuck with him. It's great to see him come through like that," Huffman said.
Mitch Marty, Monroe's leadoff hitter, then singled in the first run up the middle. Two-hitter Dylan Schwitz, who went 2-for-3, followed with a tough fly ball to center against the wind in which the center fielder couldn't make the play. Turek scored and Schwitz ended up at second with a double.
"Early in the season, the bottom of the order has been setting the table for the top," Huffman said. "We want a guy like Marty to come through, because we know he can."
That would be it for Monroe's offense. The Cheesemakers had just three baserunners over the final five innings. But with the way Rieder was pitching, Monroe just needed to play defense.
"We know that if someone fails or makes an error, someone else is going to be there to pick them up," said Rieder, who picked off two runners at first base.
Monona Grove scored its only run in the sixth. With two outs and runners on first and second, Taylor Meyers hit a line drive to Rackow in right, who dropped the ball. One run came in, but Schwitz took the next grounder unassisted to second to end the threat.
In the seventh, Schwitz and second baseman Taylor Riese turned a game-ending 6-4-3 double play, giving Marty the save.
The win puts the Cheesemakers at 5-1 overall on the young season (2-0 in the Badger South), something Huffman said he was pleased to see. Monroe won just nine games a year ago, five of which in conference play.
Monroe travels to Oregon Tuesday for its next contest.
The Cheesemakers were originally scheduled to host Orangeville tonight, but the game has been moved to May 10 at the request of Orangeville. The junior varsity game on May 10 will be played in Orangeville. Both games will start at 4:30 p.m.
