FORT ATKINSON - The Monroe Senior Legion team had Whitewater's ace pitcher on the ropes before losing a 4-3 nail-biter in the Wisconsin Stateline tournament Monday night.
Two of the pitchers Monroe used in the game had only three innings of pitching experience this summer, but Monroe coach Eric Losenegger said he was proud of what they did against the opposing hurler.
"I told the guys don't hang your heads," Losenegger said. "Whitewater threw their No. 1 pitcher and he throws 83 to 85 mph and we hit him around. It took Whitewater's stud pitcher, and they had to battle tooth and nail to beat us."
Monroe's Alex Einbeck, who went 2-for-3, singled in the third inning. He moved to second on Kramer Henning's fielder's choice. Austin Burandt then delivered an RBI single to give Monroe a 1-0 lead.
In the fourth, Chase Hellenbrand led off with a walk, and Einbeck moved him into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Hellenbrand then scored the go-ahead run to give Monroe a 2-1 lead.
In the fifth, Einbeck walked and stole second. Burandt later missed a suicide squeeze bunt, but Einbeck stole home to give Monroe a 3-1 lead.
Monroe's Isaiah Siemers started on the mound and pitched four innings, giving up just one run on four hits. Einbeck tossed 1 1/3 innings in relief and gave up three runs. Einbeck hit two batters in the sixth and Burandt came in to pitch. Whitewater's Luke Heller came through against Burandt, hitting a sacrifice fly to drive in a run to tie the game at 3. Brandon Boss then delivered a game-winning RBI single.
Monroe (8-10) will play Evansville today in the second game of a four-team round robin tournament.
Two of the pitchers Monroe used in the game had only three innings of pitching experience this summer, but Monroe coach Eric Losenegger said he was proud of what they did against the opposing hurler.
"I told the guys don't hang your heads," Losenegger said. "Whitewater threw their No. 1 pitcher and he throws 83 to 85 mph and we hit him around. It took Whitewater's stud pitcher, and they had to battle tooth and nail to beat us."
Monroe's Alex Einbeck, who went 2-for-3, singled in the third inning. He moved to second on Kramer Henning's fielder's choice. Austin Burandt then delivered an RBI single to give Monroe a 1-0 lead.
In the fourth, Chase Hellenbrand led off with a walk, and Einbeck moved him into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Hellenbrand then scored the go-ahead run to give Monroe a 2-1 lead.
In the fifth, Einbeck walked and stole second. Burandt later missed a suicide squeeze bunt, but Einbeck stole home to give Monroe a 3-1 lead.
Monroe's Isaiah Siemers started on the mound and pitched four innings, giving up just one run on four hits. Einbeck tossed 1 1/3 innings in relief and gave up three runs. Einbeck hit two batters in the sixth and Burandt came in to pitch. Whitewater's Luke Heller came through against Burandt, hitting a sacrifice fly to drive in a run to tie the game at 3. Brandon Boss then delivered a game-winning RBI single.
Monroe (8-10) will play Evansville today in the second game of a four-team round robin tournament.
