MADISON - The Cheesemakers got plenty of relief from Kristin McArdle, and Monroe's softball team put together a solid effort in a 9-4 win over Madison Edgewood Monday.
Erica Hegi started the game on the mound for the Cheesemakers, lasting just one out. Hegi walked the first two batters she faced, allowed two hits and three earned runs, prompting head coach Dale Buvid to make a pitching change.
"We could have made a few plays to help Erica out, and Erica could have done some things to help herself too," Buvid said.
But after the damage was done, Buvid went to his normal starter in McArdle, who finished the game with 12 strikeouts, four walks and just three hits over the final 6 2/3 innings.
"Her 12 strikeouts were kind of the highlight. She doubled her season total," Buvid said.
Monroe scored its first run in the second inning, but the Crusaders countered with their final run.
"We kept on chipping away in the middle innings," Buvid said.
The Cheesemakers added a run in the third, two in the fourth, three in the fifth and two more in the seventh.
"We used a plethora of pinch hitters in the seventh inning - girls that haven't seen a lot of action. And they responded very well for us by scoring two runs," Buvid said.
One of those pinch hitters was Kaylee Craigo, who doubled. Kelsey Erickson was 2-for-4 with a triple while Kendra Clark and Tasha Frie each finished 2-for-3. Monroe took the lead in the fifth on an RBI single by Gwen Sutter. Frie later had a two-RBI single.
The Cheesemakers get back in action tonight at home against Oregon.
"They have a girl who throws pretty fast. It should be a good one," Buvid said.
Erica Hegi started the game on the mound for the Cheesemakers, lasting just one out. Hegi walked the first two batters she faced, allowed two hits and three earned runs, prompting head coach Dale Buvid to make a pitching change.
"We could have made a few plays to help Erica out, and Erica could have done some things to help herself too," Buvid said.
But after the damage was done, Buvid went to his normal starter in McArdle, who finished the game with 12 strikeouts, four walks and just three hits over the final 6 2/3 innings.
"Her 12 strikeouts were kind of the highlight. She doubled her season total," Buvid said.
Monroe scored its first run in the second inning, but the Crusaders countered with their final run.
"We kept on chipping away in the middle innings," Buvid said.
The Cheesemakers added a run in the third, two in the fourth, three in the fifth and two more in the seventh.
"We used a plethora of pinch hitters in the seventh inning - girls that haven't seen a lot of action. And they responded very well for us by scoring two runs," Buvid said.
One of those pinch hitters was Kaylee Craigo, who doubled. Kelsey Erickson was 2-for-4 with a triple while Kendra Clark and Tasha Frie each finished 2-for-3. Monroe took the lead in the fifth on an RBI single by Gwen Sutter. Frie later had a two-RBI single.
The Cheesemakers get back in action tonight at home against Oregon.
"They have a girl who throws pretty fast. It should be a good one," Buvid said.
