MONROE - Ever since she started pitching in fourth grade, Becca Armstrong knew where she was meant to be on the softball field. And with a look back at her high school pitching career, younger Armstrong's decision is hard to argue against.
Armstrong, who has been on varsity for three and a half seasons, set program records for both wins in a season (25) and strikeouts in a season (240) this year. The Cheesemakers as a team also set the program record for wins in a season with 27, and Armstrong said that the success of the team has made her individual success that much greater.
"It's really special. This year's been a lot of fun," she said. "This is a great group of girls. It was wasn't just me who set records; the team set records as well."
According to Monroe coach Dale Buvid, one of the keys to Armstrong's record-breaking season has been an increase in velocity.
"She has a little more power (this year)," Buvid said. "This summer, she started working on a rise ball, which has helped with the strikeout numbers. She's had a few miles per hour more on her pitches, and she's been pitching up more consistently with some movement. She's had a very good year. She's had 240 strikeouts. The previous record was in the 190s. That's taking care of a lot of outs yourself."
Buvid added that Armstrong's records take on an added significance because of a 2010 rule change that backed the pitching rubber from 40 feet away from home plate to 43 feet.
"She's doing it from 43 feet, where most of her predecessors were from 40. That's put more offense in the game," Buvid said. "She has some advantages too, such as more games, but I would think that that is mostly offset by the 43 feet. She's worked at it. She's put in the time, done the work."
Armstrong said that her game has come a long way since her freshman year.
"When I was a freshman, I didn't know what to expect. I realized that Monroe has a great program and we wanted to go out and make a name for ourselves," she said. "I really grew (as a pitcher) between my sophomore and junior years. I got more powerful my junior year. I have more confidence now."
Along with the individual accolades, Armstrong, who was a unanimous first team all-Badger South Conference performer this year, has been a part of several highly successful teams. She has been a part of three state-qualifying teams and will pitch in her fourth state tournament game on Thursday, June 6. Armstrong said the key for herself is to stay confident.
"The first year we went to state, I was kinda nervous," she said. "Last year, we realized we had a shot to win it. The biggest thing is just to stay confident."
Buvid said pitching in high-pressure games is nothing new for Armstrong.
"She's pitched in four sectional finals and this will be her fourth game at state. The other tournament games are high pressure games too," Buvid said. "That's a lot of pressure games, a lot of big games. She's done the work.
"She'll have butterflies like the rest of us, but she's been there. She's got a pretty good head on her shoulders. She's able to handle pressure. She's gotten better every year in that respect."
And while Armstrong is a big piece of this Cheesemaker squad, she's not alone.
"We also have a good team around her, which has contributed to her success," Buvid said. "They'll score some runs and make the plays in the field."
Armstrong and the Cheesemakers will take the field at Goodman Diamond, home of the Wisconsin Badgers, at 6 p.m. Thursday evening against New London.
Armstrong, who has been on varsity for three and a half seasons, set program records for both wins in a season (25) and strikeouts in a season (240) this year. The Cheesemakers as a team also set the program record for wins in a season with 27, and Armstrong said that the success of the team has made her individual success that much greater.
"It's really special. This year's been a lot of fun," she said. "This is a great group of girls. It was wasn't just me who set records; the team set records as well."
According to Monroe coach Dale Buvid, one of the keys to Armstrong's record-breaking season has been an increase in velocity.
"She has a little more power (this year)," Buvid said. "This summer, she started working on a rise ball, which has helped with the strikeout numbers. She's had a few miles per hour more on her pitches, and she's been pitching up more consistently with some movement. She's had a very good year. She's had 240 strikeouts. The previous record was in the 190s. That's taking care of a lot of outs yourself."
Buvid added that Armstrong's records take on an added significance because of a 2010 rule change that backed the pitching rubber from 40 feet away from home plate to 43 feet.
"She's doing it from 43 feet, where most of her predecessors were from 40. That's put more offense in the game," Buvid said. "She has some advantages too, such as more games, but I would think that that is mostly offset by the 43 feet. She's worked at it. She's put in the time, done the work."
Armstrong said that her game has come a long way since her freshman year.
"When I was a freshman, I didn't know what to expect. I realized that Monroe has a great program and we wanted to go out and make a name for ourselves," she said. "I really grew (as a pitcher) between my sophomore and junior years. I got more powerful my junior year. I have more confidence now."
Along with the individual accolades, Armstrong, who was a unanimous first team all-Badger South Conference performer this year, has been a part of several highly successful teams. She has been a part of three state-qualifying teams and will pitch in her fourth state tournament game on Thursday, June 6. Armstrong said the key for herself is to stay confident.
"The first year we went to state, I was kinda nervous," she said. "Last year, we realized we had a shot to win it. The biggest thing is just to stay confident."
Buvid said pitching in high-pressure games is nothing new for Armstrong.
"She's pitched in four sectional finals and this will be her fourth game at state. The other tournament games are high pressure games too," Buvid said. "That's a lot of pressure games, a lot of big games. She's done the work.
"She'll have butterflies like the rest of us, but she's been there. She's got a pretty good head on her shoulders. She's able to handle pressure. She's gotten better every year in that respect."
And while Armstrong is a big piece of this Cheesemaker squad, she's not alone.
"We also have a good team around her, which has contributed to her success," Buvid said. "They'll score some runs and make the plays in the field."
Armstrong and the Cheesemakers will take the field at Goodman Diamond, home of the Wisconsin Badgers, at 6 p.m. Thursday evening against New London.
