LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla - The Monroe girls softball team produced almost double the hits of its opponent Wednesday, but the Cheesemakers never came up with the big hit.
Monroe rapped 11 hits but committed five errors in dropping a
5-2 decision to Bellbrook (Ohio) in the season opener at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex.
"The discouraging thing for us offensively is we did get 11 hits and we only scored two runs. We had 10 (runners left on base)," Monroe coach Dale Buvid said.
The Cheesemakers also were hurt by five errors, making all five runs allowed by pitcher junior Becca Armstrong unearned.
"We've got to clean up a few things defensively," Buvid said.
Sarah Alexander did all she could to extend the game in the seventh inning. With the bases loaded and Monroe down by three, the senior designated player drilled the ball to center field.
"She roped one - it was well-struck," Buvid said. "Their outfielders were playing deep and the kid made a running catch going back over her left shoulder. We had everybody running and would have tied the game, but the kid made a nice catch.
"Six inches higher or six inches to the left and it's a tie game."
Bellbrook took a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Sophomore Taylor O'Leksy had an RBI single in the second and sophomore Ellie Grossen ripped a run-scoring triple in the fourth to pull the Cheesemakers even, but Bellbrook took the lead for good by scoring twice in the fifth.
Armstrong allowed six hits in going the distance. She recorded four strikeouts and issued two walks.
"There's some things we need to improve," Buvid said of Armstrong. "She's got to get the ball down a little bit more."
Monroe was scheduled to face New Philadelphia, Ohio, today in its final game in Florida.
Monroe rapped 11 hits but committed five errors in dropping a
5-2 decision to Bellbrook (Ohio) in the season opener at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex.
"The discouraging thing for us offensively is we did get 11 hits and we only scored two runs. We had 10 (runners left on base)," Monroe coach Dale Buvid said.
The Cheesemakers also were hurt by five errors, making all five runs allowed by pitcher junior Becca Armstrong unearned.
"We've got to clean up a few things defensively," Buvid said.
Sarah Alexander did all she could to extend the game in the seventh inning. With the bases loaded and Monroe down by three, the senior designated player drilled the ball to center field.
"She roped one - it was well-struck," Buvid said. "Their outfielders were playing deep and the kid made a running catch going back over her left shoulder. We had everybody running and would have tied the game, but the kid made a nice catch.
"Six inches higher or six inches to the left and it's a tie game."
Bellbrook took a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Sophomore Taylor O'Leksy had an RBI single in the second and sophomore Ellie Grossen ripped a run-scoring triple in the fourth to pull the Cheesemakers even, but Bellbrook took the lead for good by scoring twice in the fifth.
Armstrong allowed six hits in going the distance. She recorded four strikeouts and issued two walks.
"There's some things we need to improve," Buvid said of Armstrong. "She's got to get the ball down a little bit more."
Monroe was scheduled to face New Philadelphia, Ohio, today in its final game in Florida.
