STOUGHTON - The Monroe Cheesemakers found out Tuesday there is never a good time to make mistakes.
That was evident in their 5-4 loss to the Stoughton Vikings in Badger South conference play.
The Cheesemakers dug themselves into a first-inning hole with two errors and two walks resulting in three runs and a deficit they couldn't overcome.
Monroe trailed 4-0 after two innings, but scored a run in the third inning off Stoughton starter Ryan Nyhagen to get to 4-1. The Vikings got another run in the fourth inning, but the Cheesemakers rallied in the fifth off Stoughton reliever Rory Menzer. Monroe scored three times with hits by juniors Dylan Schwitz, Mitch Marty and Kramer Henning, and a groundout by senior Kris Rieder to close the gap to 5-4. But, Menzer shut down the Cheesemakers over the final two innings.
Monroe managed just four hits and committed four errors in the game.
"We looked like we weren't ready to play," Monroe head coach Dustin Huffman said. "We looked shaky and complacent. But, we were right there with their best pitcher (Nyhagen). We put pressure on them. It's good for their confidence. They've done everything they've been asked to do and they have found a way to battle and grind."
Rieder gave up seven hits and just three earned runs. He walked six and struck out one. Monroe was led at the plate by Schwitz, who went 2-for-3 and scored a run while Marty and Henning each went 1-for-2 with an RBI.
Monroe hosts Baraboo Friday before ending the regular season Saturday at Monona Grove. The regional quarterfinals begin Friday, May 28.
That was evident in their 5-4 loss to the Stoughton Vikings in Badger South conference play.
The Cheesemakers dug themselves into a first-inning hole with two errors and two walks resulting in three runs and a deficit they couldn't overcome.
Monroe trailed 4-0 after two innings, but scored a run in the third inning off Stoughton starter Ryan Nyhagen to get to 4-1. The Vikings got another run in the fourth inning, but the Cheesemakers rallied in the fifth off Stoughton reliever Rory Menzer. Monroe scored three times with hits by juniors Dylan Schwitz, Mitch Marty and Kramer Henning, and a groundout by senior Kris Rieder to close the gap to 5-4. But, Menzer shut down the Cheesemakers over the final two innings.
Monroe managed just four hits and committed four errors in the game.
"We looked like we weren't ready to play," Monroe head coach Dustin Huffman said. "We looked shaky and complacent. But, we were right there with their best pitcher (Nyhagen). We put pressure on them. It's good for their confidence. They've done everything they've been asked to do and they have found a way to battle and grind."
Rieder gave up seven hits and just three earned runs. He walked six and struck out one. Monroe was led at the plate by Schwitz, who went 2-for-3 and scored a run while Marty and Henning each went 1-for-2 with an RBI.
Monroe hosts Baraboo Friday before ending the regular season Saturday at Monona Grove. The regional quarterfinals begin Friday, May 28.
