MONROE - Early errors proved to be the deciding factor, as Wiota defeated the Monroe Brewers 9-5 in a Home Talent League playoff game in Monroe Thursday night.
A couple of errors allowed the Indians to jump out to a 4-0 lead on Monroe starting pitcher Kris Rieder, going into the bottom of the third inning. However, that's when Monroe put the heat on Wiota's starting pitcher Tommy Meier.
After not allowing a run in the first two innings, Meier could not record an out in the third, giving up two runs. Wiota called on Nick Flannery to help preserve the lead.
Flannery did just that, working out of a bases- loaded jam and sending his team back into the dugout up 4-2.
"That was big because Monroe had the bases loaded, and he came in and shut'em down," Wiota co-manager Dick Schliem said. "That was huge."
The momentum carried over into the top of the fourth inning, when Justin Doyle poked a lead-off home run to give the Indians a three-run cushion. Taylor Wiegel also went 2-4 on the night.
Wiota tacked on three more runs in the sixth inning to chase Rieder from the game. Despite allowing eight runs, Rieder shouldered the load for Monroe while notching eight strikeouts. Lon Scheuerell pitched the final inning for the Brewers.
Offensively, Monroe was led by Scott White, who recorded two hits and a run driven in.
Nick Flannery pitched the final five innings for Wiota, allowing three runs on two walks and seven hits, while striking out seven.
Monroe and Wiota will meet in a Sunday night Home Talent League playoff game at 1 p.m. Sunday in Wiota. Wiota is the No. 3 seed, and Monroe is the No. 6 seed.
Despite the good performance on Thursday, Schliem knows it's a whole new ballgame Sunday.
"We're starting to hit," Schliem said. "And it's a new game Sunday, so who knows what'll happen."
A couple of errors allowed the Indians to jump out to a 4-0 lead on Monroe starting pitcher Kris Rieder, going into the bottom of the third inning. However, that's when Monroe put the heat on Wiota's starting pitcher Tommy Meier.
After not allowing a run in the first two innings, Meier could not record an out in the third, giving up two runs. Wiota called on Nick Flannery to help preserve the lead.
Flannery did just that, working out of a bases- loaded jam and sending his team back into the dugout up 4-2.
"That was big because Monroe had the bases loaded, and he came in and shut'em down," Wiota co-manager Dick Schliem said. "That was huge."
The momentum carried over into the top of the fourth inning, when Justin Doyle poked a lead-off home run to give the Indians a three-run cushion. Taylor Wiegel also went 2-4 on the night.
Wiota tacked on three more runs in the sixth inning to chase Rieder from the game. Despite allowing eight runs, Rieder shouldered the load for Monroe while notching eight strikeouts. Lon Scheuerell pitched the final inning for the Brewers.
Offensively, Monroe was led by Scott White, who recorded two hits and a run driven in.
Nick Flannery pitched the final five innings for Wiota, allowing three runs on two walks and seven hits, while striking out seven.
Monroe and Wiota will meet in a Sunday night Home Talent League playoff game at 1 p.m. Sunday in Wiota. Wiota is the No. 3 seed, and Monroe is the No. 6 seed.
Despite the good performance on Thursday, Schliem knows it's a whole new ballgame Sunday.
"We're starting to hit," Schliem said. "And it's a new game Sunday, so who knows what'll happen."
