By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Key hits continue to elude Monroe
58114a.jpg
Stoughton junior Saxton Shore tries to get out Monroe senior Isaac Allen at second base during Thursdays game at the high school. (Times photo: Marissa Weiher0
MONROE - The Monroe High School baseball team continues to struggle at the plate with runners in scoring position, and the Cheesemakers couldn't catch Stoughton in a 5-2 loss Thursday.

Monroe (1-5, 0-2 Badger South) has lost five straight games since a season-opening win over Edgerton.

Trailing 3-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning, the Cheesemakers had a golden scoring opportunity after loading the bases with no outs. However, Monroe was able to push across just one run. Senior Cole Murray walked to lead off the inning. Senior Isaac Allen, who went 2-for-3, singled. Junior Hunter Ward then beat out a bunt at first. Sophomore Dagon Rach walked to push in a run and cut the Vikings' lead to 3-1. Stoughton pitcher Brock Wanninger then struck out two batters, and senior Jacob Ritschard flied out to right.

"In the fifth inning we can't strike out looking twice with the bases loaded," Monroe coach Dustin Huffman said. "We have to put the ball in play. If we hit the ball on the ground we score one run. We need them to start clutching up."

Monroe sophomore Max Lang pitched six innings and gave up four earned runs on eight hits. He didn't post a strikeout or issue a walk.

"He did a fantastic job of throwing strikes," Huffman said. "He probably would have given up less than four runs if he could get his curveball over for a strike. He has been improving and is getting better at knowing when to throw what pitch. He still is learning to understand when to throw his secondary pitches."

Stoughton's Brady Schipper went 3-for-4 with three runs scored, and Nick Waldorf was 2-for-3 with three RBI.

The Cheesemakers had another golden scoring opportunity in the sixth. They loaded the bases again but scored just one run. Freshman Nick Bansley singled and Murray bunted for a single. Allen singled to right, but the Vikings' right fielder dove in an attempt to make a spectacular catch and the Cheesemakers had to hold up Bansley at third in case the ball was caught. Ward knocked in a run on a fielder's choice to cut the Vikings' lead to 3-2, but Wanninger again pitched out of the jam.

Stoughton scored its final two runs in the seventh inning.

"Right now we are 1-5 and we have to find a way to claw out some runs or it can get away from us fast," Huffman said.