BELOIT - The Monroe baseball team got clutch hits in big moments to keep its season alive with a 10-6 10-inning win over Beloit Turner in a WIAA Division 2 regional semifinal game Wednesday.
Monroe senior Desmond Ford had a two-out, RBI double to tie the game at 6 in the seventh inning to force extra innings.
"He (Ford) really clutched up in that situation," Monroe coach Dustin Huffman said.
With the win, Monroe (16-12) advances to play at No. 1 seed Edgerton Friday in a regional championship game. Huffman was confident the Cheesemakers could contend for winning a regional title even before this year.
"I thought that about this team last year with the talented players we have," Huffman said. "It was just a matter of putting it together this year. Now they have a chance to play for the sectional."
The Cheesemakers sealed the win with a four-run 10th inning. Senior Matt Coplien started the 10th with a double. Senior Chase Hellenbrand delivered a go-ahead RBI single to left to give the Cheesemakers a 7-6 lead. Junior teammate Garrett Gogin followed with an RBI single to left to score Hellenbrand. Gogin stole second to set up the next scoring opportunity. Senior Sean Saxby, who went 4-for-5 with three RBI, came through with an RBI single to right to give the Cheesemakers a 9-6 lead. Senior Lucas Neuenschwander had a pinch-hit RBI triple to seal the victory.
"Lucas hasn't had many at-bats this year, but the 10th was going to be Logan's last inning," Huffman said of Weckerly pitching. "He hit the ball really hard."
The Cheesemakers pounded out 16 hits en route to the win. Coplien went 3-for-4 with one RBI and Gogin was 2-for-5 with two RBI. Ford finished 2-for-6 with one RBI.
"We put the bat on the ball for the most part," Huffman said.
Monroe senior Logan Weckerly pitched a complete game to get the win. In 10 innings, Weckerly gave up three earned runs on 10 hits. He struck out six and walked two.
"He (Weckerly) was in control most of the game," Huffman said. "Obviously, to be able to go 10 innings with a lower pitch count, it's kudos to him for being efficient."
The last time Monroe played Edgerton, the Cheesemakers beat the Crimson Tide in a regional semifinal four years ago. Now with different faces, the two teams will meet again Friday with a sectional berth on the line.
"The way we have been swinging the bat we like our chances against anyone," Huffman said. "They (Edgerton) are the No. 1 seed for a reason. We have to go there play hard, consistent and not make any mistakes."
Monroe senior Desmond Ford had a two-out, RBI double to tie the game at 6 in the seventh inning to force extra innings.
"He (Ford) really clutched up in that situation," Monroe coach Dustin Huffman said.
With the win, Monroe (16-12) advances to play at No. 1 seed Edgerton Friday in a regional championship game. Huffman was confident the Cheesemakers could contend for winning a regional title even before this year.
"I thought that about this team last year with the talented players we have," Huffman said. "It was just a matter of putting it together this year. Now they have a chance to play for the sectional."
The Cheesemakers sealed the win with a four-run 10th inning. Senior Matt Coplien started the 10th with a double. Senior Chase Hellenbrand delivered a go-ahead RBI single to left to give the Cheesemakers a 7-6 lead. Junior teammate Garrett Gogin followed with an RBI single to left to score Hellenbrand. Gogin stole second to set up the next scoring opportunity. Senior Sean Saxby, who went 4-for-5 with three RBI, came through with an RBI single to right to give the Cheesemakers a 9-6 lead. Senior Lucas Neuenschwander had a pinch-hit RBI triple to seal the victory.
"Lucas hasn't had many at-bats this year, but the 10th was going to be Logan's last inning," Huffman said of Weckerly pitching. "He hit the ball really hard."
The Cheesemakers pounded out 16 hits en route to the win. Coplien went 3-for-4 with one RBI and Gogin was 2-for-5 with two RBI. Ford finished 2-for-6 with one RBI.
"We put the bat on the ball for the most part," Huffman said.
Monroe senior Logan Weckerly pitched a complete game to get the win. In 10 innings, Weckerly gave up three earned runs on 10 hits. He struck out six and walked two.
"He (Weckerly) was in control most of the game," Huffman said. "Obviously, to be able to go 10 innings with a lower pitch count, it's kudos to him for being efficient."
The last time Monroe played Edgerton, the Cheesemakers beat the Crimson Tide in a regional semifinal four years ago. Now with different faces, the two teams will meet again Friday with a sectional berth on the line.
"The way we have been swinging the bat we like our chances against anyone," Huffman said. "They (Edgerton) are the No. 1 seed for a reason. We have to go there play hard, consistent and not make any mistakes."
