OREGON - The Monroe baseball wasn't able to end its losing streak Tuesday, but coach Dustin Huffman said the Cheesemakers did many things right in a 6-5, eight-inning loss to Oregon.
Most of all, Huffman was pleased that his squad rallied from a four-run deficit to force the extra frame.
"We battled," Huffman said. "I was happy with the way we came back after being down four runs. It's definitely something to build on."
Oregon ended the game in the eighth when Simon Maurice's suicide squeeze bunt scored Ryan Galloway.
Alex Einbeck took the loss, but Huffman said the junior's relief effort was a primary reason Monroe was able to get back into the game.
"Einbeck came in and threw really well for us. He's only pitched two other times," Huffman said of Einbeck, who allowed one hit and one earned run over three innings. He issued four walks and had a strikeout.
Einbeck pitched out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the bottom of the seventh.
"We brought the infield in and we were able to get a strikeout and a couple of groundouts," Huffman said. "The guys really stepped up and played good defense in that sequence. That was good to see."
Monroe trailed 5-1 after five innings, but put four runs up in the sixth - a two-run double by freshman Chase Hellenbrand and a two-run single by Trent Wyssbrod the big blows. Sophomore Isaiah Siemers followed with a line drive, but it was right at the right fielder, Huffman said.
"Down 5-1, we easily could have mailed it in," Huffman said. "The kids were able to see tonight what can happen when you get a little bit of a spark."
Hellenbrand and Wyssbrod each went 2-for-4 for Monroe (2-13, 1-8 Badger South), which lost its ninth straight game.
Most of all, Huffman was pleased that his squad rallied from a four-run deficit to force the extra frame.
"We battled," Huffman said. "I was happy with the way we came back after being down four runs. It's definitely something to build on."
Oregon ended the game in the eighth when Simon Maurice's suicide squeeze bunt scored Ryan Galloway.
Alex Einbeck took the loss, but Huffman said the junior's relief effort was a primary reason Monroe was able to get back into the game.
"Einbeck came in and threw really well for us. He's only pitched two other times," Huffman said of Einbeck, who allowed one hit and one earned run over three innings. He issued four walks and had a strikeout.
Einbeck pitched out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the bottom of the seventh.
"We brought the infield in and we were able to get a strikeout and a couple of groundouts," Huffman said. "The guys really stepped up and played good defense in that sequence. That was good to see."
Monroe trailed 5-1 after five innings, but put four runs up in the sixth - a two-run double by freshman Chase Hellenbrand and a two-run single by Trent Wyssbrod the big blows. Sophomore Isaiah Siemers followed with a line drive, but it was right at the right fielder, Huffman said.
"Down 5-1, we easily could have mailed it in," Huffman said. "The kids were able to see tonight what can happen when you get a little bit of a spark."
Hellenbrand and Wyssbrod each went 2-for-4 for Monroe (2-13, 1-8 Badger South), which lost its ninth straight game.
