MONROE - There's no doubt the Monroe softball team will be tested come tournament time next week.
Senior Night was no different for the Cheesemakers. Baraboo's Jessie Carignan tossed a five-hit shutout as the Thunderbirds blanked the Cheesemakers 3-0 Friday night. Monroe will wrap up a stretch where they will have played seven games in eight days with a doubleheader against Juda today at Twining Park. Monroe (10-9, 6-5 Badger South) has played a schedule stacked with Division 1 teams and have only played three Division 2 teams.
"At this time of year, you want to be playing," Monroe coach Dale Buvid said. "You are not going to accomplish a whole lot in practice at this point. You don't get better by not getting out there. You have to be careful not to burn out your pitcher before the tournament. We have to be careful and watch her."
Baraboo (17-3), ranked 15th in the state in Division 1, was able to push across three runs in the third inning. The inning was set up when the Thunderbirds beat out a dribbler to Monroe sophomore pitcher Becca Armstrong. Monroe senior third baseman Kristin McArdle then threw to second, but the Thunderbirds beat the force play. That set the stages for Carignan who delivered a two-run single to right.
"If you make that play Kristin probably throws to first and they don't score," Buvid said of the Thunderbirds' bunt. "We have to do a better job defensively."
The last time Monroe played Baraboo, the Cheesemakers pounded out 19 hits en route to a 12-2 win over Carignan and the Thunderbirds.
But Carignan had the Cheesemakers' number this time. Carignan has only surrendered nine runs in Badger South Conference games this season. Monroe senior Kelsey Erickson went 2 for 3 and Alyssa Montgomery hit a double. The Cheesemakers also ran into some bad luck hitting into two double plays.
"That's amazing with the 43-foot distance," Buvid said. "She had more movement on her pitches."
Armstrong pitched a complete game and gave up one earned run on three hits. She struck out six and walked one.
"I think she pitched very well," Buvid said of Armstrong. "Her change-up is getting better. We are capable of making the plays. We are also capable of making enough mistakes to get beat."
Senior Night was no different for the Cheesemakers. Baraboo's Jessie Carignan tossed a five-hit shutout as the Thunderbirds blanked the Cheesemakers 3-0 Friday night. Monroe will wrap up a stretch where they will have played seven games in eight days with a doubleheader against Juda today at Twining Park. Monroe (10-9, 6-5 Badger South) has played a schedule stacked with Division 1 teams and have only played three Division 2 teams.
"At this time of year, you want to be playing," Monroe coach Dale Buvid said. "You are not going to accomplish a whole lot in practice at this point. You don't get better by not getting out there. You have to be careful not to burn out your pitcher before the tournament. We have to be careful and watch her."
Baraboo (17-3), ranked 15th in the state in Division 1, was able to push across three runs in the third inning. The inning was set up when the Thunderbirds beat out a dribbler to Monroe sophomore pitcher Becca Armstrong. Monroe senior third baseman Kristin McArdle then threw to second, but the Thunderbirds beat the force play. That set the stages for Carignan who delivered a two-run single to right.
"If you make that play Kristin probably throws to first and they don't score," Buvid said of the Thunderbirds' bunt. "We have to do a better job defensively."
The last time Monroe played Baraboo, the Cheesemakers pounded out 19 hits en route to a 12-2 win over Carignan and the Thunderbirds.
But Carignan had the Cheesemakers' number this time. Carignan has only surrendered nine runs in Badger South Conference games this season. Monroe senior Kelsey Erickson went 2 for 3 and Alyssa Montgomery hit a double. The Cheesemakers also ran into some bad luck hitting into two double plays.
"That's amazing with the 43-foot distance," Buvid said. "She had more movement on her pitches."
Armstrong pitched a complete game and gave up one earned run on three hits. She struck out six and walked one.
"I think she pitched very well," Buvid said of Armstrong. "Her change-up is getting better. We are capable of making the plays. We are also capable of making enough mistakes to get beat."
