FORT ATKINSON - Kevin Klopfenstein had two hits and drove in three runs in a big nine-run third inning to help Monroe rebound from a tough loss Monday and cruise to a 13-4 win over Evansville in the Wisconsin Stateline interleague tournament Tuesday night.
Klopfenstein went 2-for-3 and had three RBIs to lead Monroe. Evansville jumped out to a 4-0 lead by scoring four unearned runs in the first inning off Austin Burandt. Burandt pitched four innings and gave up four unearned runs on four hits. He struck out four and walked two. Ryan Erickson tossed three shutout innings in relief and struck out three.
"It was an ugly start," Monroe coach Eric Losenegger said. "It's kind of typical after the way we lost last night. We responded well. We put together some good hits. That took the sails right out of Evansville. Austin got going and put us in a position to win."
Monroe cut into the lead in the second when Chase Hellenbrand walked. Sean Saxby singled and Ryan Hughes came through with a two-run triple to left center to cut Evansville's lead to 4-2.
Monroe broke the game open batting around the order in a nine-run third. Burandt helped his own cause with a two-run single to tie the game at 4. Klopfenstein delivered a go-ahead RBI single to give Monroe a 5-4 lead. Saxby hit a little dribbler in front of the plate. Evansville threw the ball away and two runs scored. Trent Einbeck was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to bring in a run and give Monroe a 6-4 lead. Alex Einbeck had an RBI single and Klopfenstein had a two-run single to give Monroe an 11-4 lead.
Monroe was also able to draw three walks in the third.
"Their pitcher had trouble finding the strikezone in the third inning," Losenegger said.
Monroe will play Fort Atkinson today in the third round of the round robin portion of the tournament.
Klopfenstein went 2-for-3 and had three RBIs to lead Monroe. Evansville jumped out to a 4-0 lead by scoring four unearned runs in the first inning off Austin Burandt. Burandt pitched four innings and gave up four unearned runs on four hits. He struck out four and walked two. Ryan Erickson tossed three shutout innings in relief and struck out three.
"It was an ugly start," Monroe coach Eric Losenegger said. "It's kind of typical after the way we lost last night. We responded well. We put together some good hits. That took the sails right out of Evansville. Austin got going and put us in a position to win."
Monroe cut into the lead in the second when Chase Hellenbrand walked. Sean Saxby singled and Ryan Hughes came through with a two-run triple to left center to cut Evansville's lead to 4-2.
Monroe broke the game open batting around the order in a nine-run third. Burandt helped his own cause with a two-run single to tie the game at 4. Klopfenstein delivered a go-ahead RBI single to give Monroe a 5-4 lead. Saxby hit a little dribbler in front of the plate. Evansville threw the ball away and two runs scored. Trent Einbeck was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to bring in a run and give Monroe a 6-4 lead. Alex Einbeck had an RBI single and Klopfenstein had a two-run single to give Monroe an 11-4 lead.
Monroe was also able to draw three walks in the third.
"Their pitcher had trouble finding the strikezone in the third inning," Losenegger said.
Monroe will play Fort Atkinson today in the third round of the round robin portion of the tournament.
