MONONA - Despite struggling in the hitting department, the Monroe softball team found a way to win, relying on pitching and baserunning to defeat Monona Grove 3-1 Monday, April 29.
The Cheesemakers collected just six hits in the game, but starting pitcher Becca Armstrong limited Monona Grove to three.
Armstrong didn't allow a run until the seventh inning, snapping a streak of 36 scoreless innings. She finished with 12 strikeouts, while allowing just two walks.
Monroe coach Dale Buvid said Armstrong's hot streak has come a good time, with the Cheesemakers struggling to get in a grove at the plate.
"We're just not hitting on all cylinders on offense," Buvid said. "It's nice to have a pitcher that can go out and shut teams down. And it's not just her; we have a great defense behind her. Our bunt defense has been near flawless all year."
In addition to Armstrong's pitching, the Cheesemakers made the most of their baserunning opportunities to bring in runs.
In the second inning, Monroe got one-out hits from both Heather Barta and Kirsten Vetterli. Barta later scored on an error. In the fourth, senior Breawn Ambrose entered the game as a pinch runner and late scored on a groundball to second base, beating the throw to home plate.
"I give a lot of credit to Breawn Ambrose ... for pinch running and baserunning," Buvid said. "She's made a lot of plays for us on the basepaths, and she slides well and she's quick enough. That's really where she's shined the most."
Buvid is still looking for the bats to come around. He said he saw some signs the Cheesemakers are about to swing their way out of the funk.
"We're going through kind of a tough stretch right now, but there were a few signs," he said. "We had a few (outs) that were crushed line drives. There were some signs there."
Monroe (12-2, 4-0 Badger South) currently sits atop the Badger South Conference, as the only undefeated team. They will look to stay unbeaten when they travel to Oregon Tuesday, April 30.
While Buvid is hoping the bats come around, he's aware of the positives thus far.
"We've got a pitcher who's throwing well and a team that's played pretty good defense so far," he said.
The Cheesemakers collected just six hits in the game, but starting pitcher Becca Armstrong limited Monona Grove to three.
Armstrong didn't allow a run until the seventh inning, snapping a streak of 36 scoreless innings. She finished with 12 strikeouts, while allowing just two walks.
Monroe coach Dale Buvid said Armstrong's hot streak has come a good time, with the Cheesemakers struggling to get in a grove at the plate.
"We're just not hitting on all cylinders on offense," Buvid said. "It's nice to have a pitcher that can go out and shut teams down. And it's not just her; we have a great defense behind her. Our bunt defense has been near flawless all year."
In addition to Armstrong's pitching, the Cheesemakers made the most of their baserunning opportunities to bring in runs.
In the second inning, Monroe got one-out hits from both Heather Barta and Kirsten Vetterli. Barta later scored on an error. In the fourth, senior Breawn Ambrose entered the game as a pinch runner and late scored on a groundball to second base, beating the throw to home plate.
"I give a lot of credit to Breawn Ambrose ... for pinch running and baserunning," Buvid said. "She's made a lot of plays for us on the basepaths, and she slides well and she's quick enough. That's really where she's shined the most."
Buvid is still looking for the bats to come around. He said he saw some signs the Cheesemakers are about to swing their way out of the funk.
"We're going through kind of a tough stretch right now, but there were a few signs," he said. "We had a few (outs) that were crushed line drives. There were some signs there."
Monroe (12-2, 4-0 Badger South) currently sits atop the Badger South Conference, as the only undefeated team. They will look to stay unbeaten when they travel to Oregon Tuesday, April 30.
While Buvid is hoping the bats come around, he's aware of the positives thus far.
"We've got a pitcher who's throwing well and a team that's played pretty good defense so far," he said.
