FORT ATKINSON - The Monroe Cheesemakers thought they had missed out on a golden opportunity early in their game at Fort Atkinson on Tuesday. As it turned out, Monroe seized the opportunity late in the game to win.
Held to just one hit through five innings, the Cheesemakers scored twice in the sixth and once in the seventh to claim a 3-2 come-from-behind victory over Fort Atkinson a Badger South conference game.
Monroe (4-1, 2-0) loaded the bases in the first inning, but failed to score. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks got solo home runs from shortstop Michael Knutson in the third and starting pitcher Derek Stark in the fifth to take a 2-0 lead.
Down to their last six outs, the Cheesemakers broke through in the sixth and seventh innings.
Designated hitter Kris Rieder walked to lead off the sixth against Stark. Taylor Riese's sacrifice bunt was misplayed, which put two runners aboard. Cory Kundert laid down another bunt, but Stark committed a throwing error that allowed Rieder and Riese to score and tie the game at 2-2.
In the seventh, Rieder got into scoring position with a one-out double. With two outs, Kundert blooped an RBI single to right. Rieder came in the the bottom of the seventh and set the Blackhawks down in order with a pair of strikeouts and a groundout to earn a save.
Junior Logan Wells pitched six innings to get the win for Monroe. He scattered five hits, struck out eight and walked just one.
"It took him a while to get settled in," said Monroe head coach Dustin Huffman. "Then, he figured out the strike zone. He kept pounding that outside corner and getting strikes called."
For the Cheesemakers, it was their second comeback win in the past week.
"It's an exciting win," said Huffman. "It shows that we can come back from adversity with that never-give-up mentality."
Monroe will host Monona Grove Thursday at 5 p.m.
Held to just one hit through five innings, the Cheesemakers scored twice in the sixth and once in the seventh to claim a 3-2 come-from-behind victory over Fort Atkinson a Badger South conference game.
Monroe (4-1, 2-0) loaded the bases in the first inning, but failed to score. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks got solo home runs from shortstop Michael Knutson in the third and starting pitcher Derek Stark in the fifth to take a 2-0 lead.
Down to their last six outs, the Cheesemakers broke through in the sixth and seventh innings.
Designated hitter Kris Rieder walked to lead off the sixth against Stark. Taylor Riese's sacrifice bunt was misplayed, which put two runners aboard. Cory Kundert laid down another bunt, but Stark committed a throwing error that allowed Rieder and Riese to score and tie the game at 2-2.
In the seventh, Rieder got into scoring position with a one-out double. With two outs, Kundert blooped an RBI single to right. Rieder came in the the bottom of the seventh and set the Blackhawks down in order with a pair of strikeouts and a groundout to earn a save.
Junior Logan Wells pitched six innings to get the win for Monroe. He scattered five hits, struck out eight and walked just one.
"It took him a while to get settled in," said Monroe head coach Dustin Huffman. "Then, he figured out the strike zone. He kept pounding that outside corner and getting strikes called."
For the Cheesemakers, it was their second comeback win in the past week.
"It's an exciting win," said Huffman. "It shows that we can come back from adversity with that never-give-up mentality."
Monroe will host Monona Grove Thursday at 5 p.m.
