MONROE - Kari Jordan missed most of the softball season due to a torn ACL injury. Her timing for coming up with a big hit couldn't have been better.
Jordan, a Monroe sophomore, delivered a clutch pinch-hit RBI single to spark a five-run fifth inning to lead the Cheesemakers to a 10-0 win over Platteville in a WIAA Division 2 regional semifinal Tuesday, May 21 at Twining Park. Platteville was plagued by seven errors and committed two errors in the fifth to set up the big inning. The Cheesemakers (24-2), ranked No. 3 in the Wisconsin Fastpitch Division 2 state poll, were 0-for-12 hitting with runners in scoring position the first four innings before Jordan's RBI single to left.
"I feel like I was mentally prepared for the moment," Jordan said. "She was throwing a lot of first pitch strikes. When I hit it, I was glad I could help my team. It just snowballed after that with people getting big hits. It definitely hasn't gone as well as I wanted it to. It feels great to come back and help out the team. It's coming back."
Monroe senior Lauren Hendrickson came through with an RBI single to center and junior Chandra McGuire had a key two-run double to center to give the Cheesemakers an 8-0 lead. The Cheesemakers, which had the leadoff runner on in five of the six innings, finished just 3-for-19 hitting with runners in scoring position. That was more than enough run support for senior Becca Armstrong, who tossed a one-hit shutout while striking out 13 and walking two.
The win may have come at a cost for the Cheesemakers. Monroe junior shortstop Ellie Grossen was cleated on a stolen base attempt in the bottom of the fourth and suffered a deep gash to her leg that will require stitches. Monroe coach Dale Buvid said Grossen's availability is in doubt for Thursday's regional championship against No. 2 ranked River Valley at Twining Park.
"Everyone is a little disappointed with Ellie's injury," Buvid said. "It was a deep gouge. We saw some things inside her leg that we shouldn't see. Ellie is a gamer. If there is any way for her to come back by Thursday, she will. Ellie's a speed player and this will significantly limit her speed."
McGuire went 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBIs to lead the Cheesemakers.
"It's always huge to score a lot of runs in one inning," McGuire said. "I think everyone was a little more concentrating and everyone wanted to win more because if we lose we are done."
Armstrong felt confident after the Cheesemakers jumped out to a 3-0 lead by scoring three unearned runs in the first two innings.
"Like coach Buvid said, the better team doesn't always win," Armstrong said. "We got our offense clicking. Once we got all of those runs, I was able to settle in and do my job from there."
The Cheesemakers did squander some golden scoring opportunities early on, though.
"We have been struggling with runners in scoring position all year, especially if we have second and third base and less than two outs," Buvid said. "If you just put the ball in play you should conceivably have at least one run. We let them off the hook in the early innings. We were not able to put up the crooked number like we did in the fifth inning. We couldn't put them away. That was a little disappointing. Platteville came ready to play and compete. They just weren't intimidated coming in here."
Monroe will now focus on knocking off River Valley. The Cheesemakers have played River Valley in the tournament four of the last five years and have beat the Blackhawks in the regional championship twice. Can Monroe continue to have River Valley's number?
"They could have made it to state a few times the last few years if we didn't beat them," Buvid said. "We will have to be on our game to compete. We are the hunted, with everyone trying to beat us to get to state. For many years, we were the hunter and playing and beating teams ranked higher. I expect they will come in here and not be intimidated. I'm sure they would love to pay us back and turn the tables on us."
Jordan, a Monroe sophomore, delivered a clutch pinch-hit RBI single to spark a five-run fifth inning to lead the Cheesemakers to a 10-0 win over Platteville in a WIAA Division 2 regional semifinal Tuesday, May 21 at Twining Park. Platteville was plagued by seven errors and committed two errors in the fifth to set up the big inning. The Cheesemakers (24-2), ranked No. 3 in the Wisconsin Fastpitch Division 2 state poll, were 0-for-12 hitting with runners in scoring position the first four innings before Jordan's RBI single to left.
"I feel like I was mentally prepared for the moment," Jordan said. "She was throwing a lot of first pitch strikes. When I hit it, I was glad I could help my team. It just snowballed after that with people getting big hits. It definitely hasn't gone as well as I wanted it to. It feels great to come back and help out the team. It's coming back."
Monroe senior Lauren Hendrickson came through with an RBI single to center and junior Chandra McGuire had a key two-run double to center to give the Cheesemakers an 8-0 lead. The Cheesemakers, which had the leadoff runner on in five of the six innings, finished just 3-for-19 hitting with runners in scoring position. That was more than enough run support for senior Becca Armstrong, who tossed a one-hit shutout while striking out 13 and walking two.
The win may have come at a cost for the Cheesemakers. Monroe junior shortstop Ellie Grossen was cleated on a stolen base attempt in the bottom of the fourth and suffered a deep gash to her leg that will require stitches. Monroe coach Dale Buvid said Grossen's availability is in doubt for Thursday's regional championship against No. 2 ranked River Valley at Twining Park.
"Everyone is a little disappointed with Ellie's injury," Buvid said. "It was a deep gouge. We saw some things inside her leg that we shouldn't see. Ellie is a gamer. If there is any way for her to come back by Thursday, she will. Ellie's a speed player and this will significantly limit her speed."
McGuire went 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBIs to lead the Cheesemakers.
"It's always huge to score a lot of runs in one inning," McGuire said. "I think everyone was a little more concentrating and everyone wanted to win more because if we lose we are done."
Armstrong felt confident after the Cheesemakers jumped out to a 3-0 lead by scoring three unearned runs in the first two innings.
"Like coach Buvid said, the better team doesn't always win," Armstrong said. "We got our offense clicking. Once we got all of those runs, I was able to settle in and do my job from there."
The Cheesemakers did squander some golden scoring opportunities early on, though.
"We have been struggling with runners in scoring position all year, especially if we have second and third base and less than two outs," Buvid said. "If you just put the ball in play you should conceivably have at least one run. We let them off the hook in the early innings. We were not able to put up the crooked number like we did in the fifth inning. We couldn't put them away. That was a little disappointing. Platteville came ready to play and compete. They just weren't intimidated coming in here."
Monroe will now focus on knocking off River Valley. The Cheesemakers have played River Valley in the tournament four of the last five years and have beat the Blackhawks in the regional championship twice. Can Monroe continue to have River Valley's number?
"They could have made it to state a few times the last few years if we didn't beat them," Buvid said. "We will have to be on our game to compete. We are the hunted, with everyone trying to beat us to get to state. For many years, we were the hunter and playing and beating teams ranked higher. I expect they will come in here and not be intimidated. I'm sure they would love to pay us back and turn the tables on us."
