MONROE — In 2017 the Cheesemakers opened the year 2-0 in baseball — a rare feat for a program that’s struggled to string together wins for the better part of two decades.
However, there was nothing easy about the 9-8 win over Stoughton April 29. In fact, Monroe found itself trailing 8-1 after the fourth inning.
“I told these guys I’m going to use this as an example all year long — this is what happens when you don’t put a team away and you let them hang around,” Monroe coach Eric Losenegger said. “Early on they had bases loaded and we got out of it with only allowing one run. The next inning, only one run. They kind of let us hang around a little bit.”
The Cheesemakers didn’t give in, though. Monroe scored a run in the bottom of the fifth, then added two more runs in the sixth to bring the deficit to 8-4.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Cheesemakers scored five runs with two outs, capped by a walk-off E5 by Charles Briggs, which sent his teammates spilling out of the dugout and up the right field line to celebrate.
“It was the greatest experience a ballplayer can have — having your teammates involved in the game and being right there to congratulate you and celebrate,” Briggs said.
With one out in the bottom of the seventh, sophomore George Brukwicki doubled to left and then moved to third on a single to right by Aaron Smith on the very next pitch. Preston Ambrose then popped out to first, meaning Monroe had limited opportunities available.
It was the greatest experience a ballplayer can have — having your teammates involved in the game and being right there to congratulate you and celebrate.Charles Briggs on a walk-off winner
On the first pitch he saw, Max Golembiewski ripped a double to right center, playing Brukwicki. Evan Beyer then walked on a full count to load the bases. Henry Brukwicki watch two balls go by to open his at-bat, then fouled off three straight pitches.
“It was a great experience for me. I’ve never been in that situation before,” Henry said of bases loaded, two outs in the last inning of a game. “I had a lot of guys in front of me that drew some good at-bats to put me in that situation. I was hoping to get up there — and we needed six guys to get on before me.”
On the sixth pitch of the at-bat, Henry sent a liner to center field, where Viking outfielder Ethan Peterson dove and missed the ball, which rolled all the way to the fence, giving Brukwicki a 3-RBI double, tying the game.
“It was so cool to see the ball go back to the fence,” Henry Brukwicki said.
Watching Brukwicki’s plate appearance from the on-deck circle, Briggs was just hoping for a base hit.
“It’s what we needed all-game long. In the end, we achieved it. It took a while, but we put our hearts into this game and came back,” Briggs said.
The Cheesemakers left 9 on base in the game. Stoughton left 14.
After Stoughton spent a mound visit, Briggs swung at the first pitch he saw, sending a weak grounder just to the left of Vikings third baseman Rowan Shore, who biffed as the ball rolled from grass to dirt. Briggs never let up down the line and narrowly beat the throw to first. Meanwhile, Henry Brukwicki crossed home plate, capping the comeback victory.
“I just ran as fast as I could,” Briggs said.
“That sixth inning was huge — if we don’t put those runs on, the seventh inning doesn’t happen,” Losenegger said. “Everybody, all across the board, this was a group effort tonight. The kids stayed engaged and fought their tails off. This is a big win. I’m happy for them.”
Henry Brukwicki was 3-for-5 at the plate with 5 RBIs, two runs and a steal. Beyer walked three times, was hit by a pitch, scored once and stole a base. In fact, six different Cheesemakers swiped a bag, including George Brukwicki, who was 2-for-4 with two runs, and Golembiewski, who had two hits.
That sixth inning was huge — if we don’t put those runs on, the seventh inning doesn’t happen. Everybody, all across the board, this was a group effort tonight. The kids stayed engaged and fought their tails off. This is a big win. I’m happy for them.Eric Losenegger, Monroe coach
Briggs opened the game on the mound but was chased after three innings of work, allowing three runs on three hits and four walks. Ethan Mapel was tagged for five runs (two earned) in a third of an inning, with Kollin Zahradka coming on in relief for 1.2 scoreless innings. Colin Foley took to the mound for the sixth and seventh innings, allowing just one baserunner.
“In hindsight, should have went to (Foley) a lot sooner in the game, huh?” Losenegger chuckled. “Charles didn’t have his best stuff tonight, but he grinds us three innings. Ethan Mapel came in and threw us ground balls and we didn’t make a few plays.”
Shore pitched 4.2 innings for Stoughton to open the game, giving up two runs while striking out seven. His reliefer, Alex Charleston, was tagged for seven runs (six earned) in just two innings of work, walking three and allowing six hits — including all three of Monroe’s extra base hits.
“I think the difference this year is we’ve had a lot of guys working in the offseason. It’s really shown on the field so far in these first two games. We’ve drawn some good at-bats,” Henry Brukwicki said.
Up next for Monroe is a series against Fort Atkinson (1-1), with a road game slated for May 4 and a home contest May 7. Fort Atkinson split its season-opening series with Monona Grove.
