MONROE - The first round of the Badger South Conference baseball showdown between Monroe and Milton went to the Red Hawks who defeated the Cheesemakers 2-1 Thursday.
Milton's Dane Burman blasted a solo homer to right center off Monroe senior pitcher Mitch Marty in the first inning.
"I left the ball over the plate," Marty said of the pitch to Burman. "There's no doubt about it, these guys can hit. After that, I threw him a lot of off-speed pitches."
The Cheesemakers had several golden scoring opportunities against Milton starting pitcher Sam McCann and relief pitcher Jon Haas. The Cheesemakers had the leadoff hitter reach base in four straight innings, but they were only able to push across one run. The Cheesemakers finished 3 for 11 hitting with runners in scoring position and they left nine runners on base.
McCann pitched five innings and gave up just one run on three hits. He struck out eight and walked five.
"He's one of the best pitchers in the conference," Monroe coach Dustin Huffman said of McCann. "He throws gas and has added a slider. Our guys should be confident that they can hit anybody and play with anybody."
Marty pitched a complete game and gave up just two runs on six hits. He struck out five and walked two. The Cheesemakers committed three errors and the Red Hawks had three stolen bases.
"Mitch pitched great and we played well enough to win," Huffman said. "We just couldn't get that big hit. I think we have the talent and the guys who will do that."
There were also some inopportune base running mistakes by the Cheesemakers. After Monroe senior Dylan Schwitz's led off with a double in the fourth, senior Michael Turek was picked off trying to steal second after a pickle play. McCann then got Rick Geisler to pop out to end the threat.
The Cheesemakers broke through in the fifth, but it didn't come until sophomore Kevin Klopfenstein reached on an error and was picked off first. Monroe senior Drew Nafzger was hit by McCann and Mitch Riese walked. Monroe senior Kramer Henning then lined a game-tying RBI double to left to make it 1-1. Schwitz popped out and it turned into an inning-ending double play when Henning was thrown out trying to advance.
"We made some dumb base running mistakes," Marty said. "It's usually the team who makes the fewest mistakes who wins."
Henning finished 2 for 4 to lead the Cheesemakers.
"It shows tonight that we can play with the best of them," Henning said. "They will probably finish at the top of the conference. We just need to hit the ball more when we get guys on."
Milton senior Alex Lavine singled in the seventh and stole second to set up the game-winning run. Haas then came through with a two-out RBI single to give the Red Hawks the go-ahead run. Burman then reached on a dropped fly ball in center, but a perfect relay throw from Schwitz allowed catcher Austin Burandt to put the tag on Haas to cut down an insurance run.
"That was a huge play to make this early in the season," Huffman said. "That's usually a play that takes time to get down."
Milton's Dane Burman blasted a solo homer to right center off Monroe senior pitcher Mitch Marty in the first inning.
"I left the ball over the plate," Marty said of the pitch to Burman. "There's no doubt about it, these guys can hit. After that, I threw him a lot of off-speed pitches."
The Cheesemakers had several golden scoring opportunities against Milton starting pitcher Sam McCann and relief pitcher Jon Haas. The Cheesemakers had the leadoff hitter reach base in four straight innings, but they were only able to push across one run. The Cheesemakers finished 3 for 11 hitting with runners in scoring position and they left nine runners on base.
McCann pitched five innings and gave up just one run on three hits. He struck out eight and walked five.
"He's one of the best pitchers in the conference," Monroe coach Dustin Huffman said of McCann. "He throws gas and has added a slider. Our guys should be confident that they can hit anybody and play with anybody."
Marty pitched a complete game and gave up just two runs on six hits. He struck out five and walked two. The Cheesemakers committed three errors and the Red Hawks had three stolen bases.
"Mitch pitched great and we played well enough to win," Huffman said. "We just couldn't get that big hit. I think we have the talent and the guys who will do that."
There were also some inopportune base running mistakes by the Cheesemakers. After Monroe senior Dylan Schwitz's led off with a double in the fourth, senior Michael Turek was picked off trying to steal second after a pickle play. McCann then got Rick Geisler to pop out to end the threat.
The Cheesemakers broke through in the fifth, but it didn't come until sophomore Kevin Klopfenstein reached on an error and was picked off first. Monroe senior Drew Nafzger was hit by McCann and Mitch Riese walked. Monroe senior Kramer Henning then lined a game-tying RBI double to left to make it 1-1. Schwitz popped out and it turned into an inning-ending double play when Henning was thrown out trying to advance.
"We made some dumb base running mistakes," Marty said. "It's usually the team who makes the fewest mistakes who wins."
Henning finished 2 for 4 to lead the Cheesemakers.
"It shows tonight that we can play with the best of them," Henning said. "They will probably finish at the top of the conference. We just need to hit the ball more when we get guys on."
Milton senior Alex Lavine singled in the seventh and stole second to set up the game-winning run. Haas then came through with a two-out RBI single to give the Red Hawks the go-ahead run. Burman then reached on a dropped fly ball in center, but a perfect relay throw from Schwitz allowed catcher Austin Burandt to put the tag on Haas to cut down an insurance run.
"That was a huge play to make this early in the season," Huffman said. "That's usually a play that takes time to get down."
