MONROE - The only real drama Thursday wasn't whether the Monroe High School baseball team would win a WIAA Division 2 regional quarterfinal game against Clinton, it was whether Hogan Edwards would finish off a complete game.
With his pitch count getting high and nearing 100 pitches, the senior was able to get three groundouts in the seventh inning to finish off a four-hitter and lead the Cheesemakers to a 4-1 win over Clinton.
Edwards gave up one unearned run and struck out seven and walked two. He also went 2-for-2 with one RBI to lead the Cheesemakers at the plate.
"It was my last game playing on this field as a senior," Edwards said. "I wouldn't want it any other way. It feels great. It makes it even better knowing my family and friends were here to cheer us on."
Monroe (7-16) moves on to play top-seeded Beloit Turner (20-2), the state's second-ranked Division 2 team, in a regional semifinal at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
Edwards worked out of a two-out bases-loaded jam in the first by striking out Clinton's Evan Ruplinger. Monroe senior Cole Murray reached on an infield single in the bottom of the first and then stole second. Edwards followed with an RBI single to left to stake the Cheesemakers to a 1-0 lead.
The Cheesemakers broke the game open by scoring three runs after two outs in the third. Senior Carter Sawdey singled and stole second. Murray then reached on an error, which allowed Sawdey to score. The Cougars intentionally walked Edwards. Senior Isaac Allen then delivered an RBI single to left to give the Cheesemakers a 3-0 lead. Freshman Nick Bansley then smoked an RBI double to center to extend the Cheesemakers' lead to 4-0.
"You preach getting hits in clutch situations with two outs," Monroe coach Dustin Huffman said. "I thought Isaac's approach with two outs was great. Nick Bansley had been struggling with some strikeouts last week. He put a nice swing on a two strike pitch. You need to have players step up in those situations. Ultimately, that is how you win games in the postseason."
Edwards said he really wanted to get the complete game.
"I was hoping to get it (complete game), but if I didn't get it so what," he said. "It's just a game. I knew if I couldn't get through it, Max (Lang) was warmed up and ready to come in. I rely on my team a lot too."
Huffman was excited to see Edwards finish off the complete game.
"He knew what he had to do," Huffman said of Edwards. "I didn't have to say anything to him. He took some velocity off and let them kind of hit it. It was pretty crafty."
Early on, Edwards had to work out of a couple of jams. It's something Huffman has come to expect from his ace.
"He started off shaky, and the nerves got to him," Huffman said. "He's a competitor and battled for us. To get a complete game out of him without having to put someone else into the game in a pressure situation is huge."
Now, Monroe has the challenge of gearing up for Beloit Turner. Edwards is expected to pitch against the Trojans on Tuesday.
"No matter what conference you are in, if you win 20-some games and are ranked second in the state that is not a fluke," Huffman said of Beloit Turner. "I think we can compete. It comes down to making plays and not walking people and making errors. We will see how Hogan feels when he throws on Monday. In all intents and purposes if he feels good, we will go with Hogan. He gives us our best chance to compete and win."
With his pitch count getting high and nearing 100 pitches, the senior was able to get three groundouts in the seventh inning to finish off a four-hitter and lead the Cheesemakers to a 4-1 win over Clinton.
Edwards gave up one unearned run and struck out seven and walked two. He also went 2-for-2 with one RBI to lead the Cheesemakers at the plate.
"It was my last game playing on this field as a senior," Edwards said. "I wouldn't want it any other way. It feels great. It makes it even better knowing my family and friends were here to cheer us on."
Monroe (7-16) moves on to play top-seeded Beloit Turner (20-2), the state's second-ranked Division 2 team, in a regional semifinal at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
Edwards worked out of a two-out bases-loaded jam in the first by striking out Clinton's Evan Ruplinger. Monroe senior Cole Murray reached on an infield single in the bottom of the first and then stole second. Edwards followed with an RBI single to left to stake the Cheesemakers to a 1-0 lead.
The Cheesemakers broke the game open by scoring three runs after two outs in the third. Senior Carter Sawdey singled and stole second. Murray then reached on an error, which allowed Sawdey to score. The Cougars intentionally walked Edwards. Senior Isaac Allen then delivered an RBI single to left to give the Cheesemakers a 3-0 lead. Freshman Nick Bansley then smoked an RBI double to center to extend the Cheesemakers' lead to 4-0.
"You preach getting hits in clutch situations with two outs," Monroe coach Dustin Huffman said. "I thought Isaac's approach with two outs was great. Nick Bansley had been struggling with some strikeouts last week. He put a nice swing on a two strike pitch. You need to have players step up in those situations. Ultimately, that is how you win games in the postseason."
Edwards said he really wanted to get the complete game.
"I was hoping to get it (complete game), but if I didn't get it so what," he said. "It's just a game. I knew if I couldn't get through it, Max (Lang) was warmed up and ready to come in. I rely on my team a lot too."
Huffman was excited to see Edwards finish off the complete game.
"He knew what he had to do," Huffman said of Edwards. "I didn't have to say anything to him. He took some velocity off and let them kind of hit it. It was pretty crafty."
Early on, Edwards had to work out of a couple of jams. It's something Huffman has come to expect from his ace.
"He started off shaky, and the nerves got to him," Huffman said. "He's a competitor and battled for us. To get a complete game out of him without having to put someone else into the game in a pressure situation is huge."
Now, Monroe has the challenge of gearing up for Beloit Turner. Edwards is expected to pitch against the Trojans on Tuesday.
"No matter what conference you are in, if you win 20-some games and are ranked second in the state that is not a fluke," Huffman said of Beloit Turner. "I think we can compete. It comes down to making plays and not walking people and making errors. We will see how Hogan feels when he throws on Monday. In all intents and purposes if he feels good, we will go with Hogan. He gives us our best chance to compete and win."
