ARGYLE - The Beavers edged the Monroe Brewers 1-0 in eight innings Thursday night to advance beyond the first round of the Home Talent Night League playoffs.
Travis Erickson, who had half of Argyle's six hits and was 3-for-4 in the game, led off the bottom of the eighth with a single. Tyler Ritschard tried to sacrifice Erickson to second, but an error by Monroe put both runners on. Joe Johnson then hit a fielder's choice to put the winning run on third and Jarrett Bauman brought Erickson in.
"It was just time to get out of there and get the game over with," Erickson said. "I did my job. After that, all you can do is let the guys behind you do their job. It was a good win. Both teams played real well - it was a great game."
Monroe, which collected just three hits in the game, left the bases loaded in the fifth, runners on second and third in the seventh, and runners on the corners in the eighth.
"We had a couple of opportunities to score, but we just couldn't take advantage," Monroe co-player-manager Lon Scheuerell said.
With the bases loaded in the fifth, Monroe's Rooney Janecke, who had a double for Monroe in another at bat, smoked a hard liner to third, but Argyle's Joe Johnson made a spectacular catch to end the inning.
"Once again, we just couldn't get that big hit," Scheuerell said.
Bryan Ritschard got the win on the mound, pitching the eighth inning for Argyle. Justin Crotty pitched the first seven innings, striking out seven. Ben Korth went the distance for Monroe, striking out six in 7 1/3 innings.
"Pitching is the reason we play these guys close. They have good pitching and we have good pitching," Erickson said.
It was the fourth time the two teams played a one-run game in both the night league and the Sunday league. Monroe won both Sunday games, 3-2 and 2-1 earlier in the season, and Argyle took a 1-0 decision last week in night league action.
Argyle will likely face Orfordville on Thursday, Aug. 13, in the second round.
Monroe will now focus on the Sunday League playoff game against Wiota.
"We need to play good defense and find a way to get the big hits. Someway, somehow," Scheuerell said.
Wiota 4, Hollandale 3
WIOTA - The Indians got solid pitching from Nick Flannery and Jeremy Williams, to advance to the second round of the Night League playoffs where they will likely play Platteville.
Williams started for Wiota, striking out two in four innings and allowing a run in the second and the fifth. Nick Flannery took over in relief in the fifth and picked up the win.
Kurt Ritschard took the loss on the mound for the Hollandale Rockies, pitching two innings of relief, but allowing the game-winning run to score in the bottom of the sixth. Kyle Thompson started for Hollandale.
Brock Bidlingmaier was 2-3 with a triple, and Jay Haldiman was 3-3 with a double for Wiota. Tommy Meier also doubled for the Indians.
Travis Erickson, who had half of Argyle's six hits and was 3-for-4 in the game, led off the bottom of the eighth with a single. Tyler Ritschard tried to sacrifice Erickson to second, but an error by Monroe put both runners on. Joe Johnson then hit a fielder's choice to put the winning run on third and Jarrett Bauman brought Erickson in.
"It was just time to get out of there and get the game over with," Erickson said. "I did my job. After that, all you can do is let the guys behind you do their job. It was a good win. Both teams played real well - it was a great game."
Monroe, which collected just three hits in the game, left the bases loaded in the fifth, runners on second and third in the seventh, and runners on the corners in the eighth.
"We had a couple of opportunities to score, but we just couldn't take advantage," Monroe co-player-manager Lon Scheuerell said.
With the bases loaded in the fifth, Monroe's Rooney Janecke, who had a double for Monroe in another at bat, smoked a hard liner to third, but Argyle's Joe Johnson made a spectacular catch to end the inning.
"Once again, we just couldn't get that big hit," Scheuerell said.
Bryan Ritschard got the win on the mound, pitching the eighth inning for Argyle. Justin Crotty pitched the first seven innings, striking out seven. Ben Korth went the distance for Monroe, striking out six in 7 1/3 innings.
"Pitching is the reason we play these guys close. They have good pitching and we have good pitching," Erickson said.
It was the fourth time the two teams played a one-run game in both the night league and the Sunday league. Monroe won both Sunday games, 3-2 and 2-1 earlier in the season, and Argyle took a 1-0 decision last week in night league action.
Argyle will likely face Orfordville on Thursday, Aug. 13, in the second round.
Monroe will now focus on the Sunday League playoff game against Wiota.
"We need to play good defense and find a way to get the big hits. Someway, somehow," Scheuerell said.
Wiota 4, Hollandale 3
WIOTA - The Indians got solid pitching from Nick Flannery and Jeremy Williams, to advance to the second round of the Night League playoffs where they will likely play Platteville.
Williams started for Wiota, striking out two in four innings and allowing a run in the second and the fifth. Nick Flannery took over in relief in the fifth and picked up the win.
Kurt Ritschard took the loss on the mound for the Hollandale Rockies, pitching two innings of relief, but allowing the game-winning run to score in the bottom of the sixth. Kyle Thompson started for Hollandale.
Brock Bidlingmaier was 2-3 with a triple, and Jay Haldiman was 3-3 with a double for Wiota. Tommy Meier also doubled for the Indians.
