REEDSBURG - The Cheesemakers' softball team scored six runs in the third inning and toppled the Badger North's Reedsburg Beavers, 9-1, Thursday.
After leaving runners on in each of the first two innings, Monroe looked as if it would achieve the ill-fated feat a third time. The Cheesemakers had runners on first and second with no outs, but hit into consecutive fielder's choice plays.
"We started out a little sluggish," Monroe head coach Dale Buvid said.
However, the Cheesemakers collected five hits and reached another by error in the next six at-bats. Emily Rufenacht drove in two runs with a hard single. Brandi Trewartha, Gwen Sutter and Kelsey Erickson each had RBI singles and Abby Kennison drove in a run on an error.
"We started getting to them by then," Buvid said.
Maggie Schuttler finished 2-for-2 with three stolen bases. Trewartha and Kendra Clark each finished the game with two hits for Monroe. As a team, the Cheesemakers collected 13 singles with no extra-base hits. Monroe also sent 15 of its 17 players up to bat, and all 17 saw action.
Kristin McArdle pitched the first 4 2/3 innings for the Cheesemakers, allowing two hits, two walks, no runs and six strikeouts.
"Kristin did a nice job. She threw strikes and kept the ball down."
Jessica Beckman allowed one run in two innings of work and Trewartha struck out the only batter she faced on the mound in relief to end the game.
"Jessica had trouble throwing the wet ball on Saturday (at the Monroe Invite). But she pitched well. She allowed only one walk and just one solid base hit that gave them a run," Buvid said. "And Brandi struck out their leadoff hitter, who had given us a hard time all game, with a nice changeup."
The three pitchers allowed usual starter Meghan Roberts to get the night off.
"We worked Meghan a lot in practice yesterday trying to get her to throw a little harder. We weren't going to use her unless we desperately needed to," Buvid said.
Roberts, who doesn't get many plate appearances, singled in the game.
Monroe scored one run in the sixth and two more in the top of the seventh and finished with 12 hits. Reedsburg's lone run came in the bottom of the seventh.
The Cheesemakers (10-6, 5-0 Badger South) have the weekend off before a string of tough conference battles next week. Monroe hosts Milton on Tuesday, travels to Fort Atkinson on Thursday and hosts Stoughton on Saturday.
"We're going to have our hands full. All three teams are looking to knock us off to get on top of the conference. If we can get the job done, we'll be looking really good in the conference picture," Buvid said.
After leaving runners on in each of the first two innings, Monroe looked as if it would achieve the ill-fated feat a third time. The Cheesemakers had runners on first and second with no outs, but hit into consecutive fielder's choice plays.
"We started out a little sluggish," Monroe head coach Dale Buvid said.
However, the Cheesemakers collected five hits and reached another by error in the next six at-bats. Emily Rufenacht drove in two runs with a hard single. Brandi Trewartha, Gwen Sutter and Kelsey Erickson each had RBI singles and Abby Kennison drove in a run on an error.
"We started getting to them by then," Buvid said.
Maggie Schuttler finished 2-for-2 with three stolen bases. Trewartha and Kendra Clark each finished the game with two hits for Monroe. As a team, the Cheesemakers collected 13 singles with no extra-base hits. Monroe also sent 15 of its 17 players up to bat, and all 17 saw action.
Kristin McArdle pitched the first 4 2/3 innings for the Cheesemakers, allowing two hits, two walks, no runs and six strikeouts.
"Kristin did a nice job. She threw strikes and kept the ball down."
Jessica Beckman allowed one run in two innings of work and Trewartha struck out the only batter she faced on the mound in relief to end the game.
"Jessica had trouble throwing the wet ball on Saturday (at the Monroe Invite). But she pitched well. She allowed only one walk and just one solid base hit that gave them a run," Buvid said. "And Brandi struck out their leadoff hitter, who had given us a hard time all game, with a nice changeup."
The three pitchers allowed usual starter Meghan Roberts to get the night off.
"We worked Meghan a lot in practice yesterday trying to get her to throw a little harder. We weren't going to use her unless we desperately needed to," Buvid said.
Roberts, who doesn't get many plate appearances, singled in the game.
Monroe scored one run in the sixth and two more in the top of the seventh and finished with 12 hits. Reedsburg's lone run came in the bottom of the seventh.
The Cheesemakers (10-6, 5-0 Badger South) have the weekend off before a string of tough conference battles next week. Monroe hosts Milton on Tuesday, travels to Fort Atkinson on Thursday and hosts Stoughton on Saturday.
"We're going to have our hands full. All three teams are looking to knock us off to get on top of the conference. If we can get the job done, we'll be looking really good in the conference picture," Buvid said.
