MONROE - Softball will heat up this summer as Monroe hosts its fastpitch tournament this weekend.
The Monroe Optimists No. 2 team, which includes underclassmen and seniors who graduated in the spring, will open the tournament with a first-round game against Orangeville at 11 a.m. Sunday.
The Monroe Optimists No. 1 team will play Belmont at 12:45 p.m. Sunday. The eight-team championship-consolation tournament will feature Freeport, Orangeville, Brodhead, Belmont, Dodgeville and Orfordville.
"It's the one time in the summer we try to win it," Monroe coach Dale Buvid said, who will coach the Monroe Optimists No. 1 team. "This is part of the evaluation process for next year."
The last time Monroe had the tournament, Orangeville won the championship.
"Orangeville and Freeport are very good," Buvid said. "Belmont has been a state qualifier. If Brodhead has everybody, they will be good."
Becca Armstrong is expected to pitch for Monroe Optimists No. 1 along with Kristin McArdle. Erica Hegi is expected to pitch for Monroe Optimists No. 2.
Buvid wants the pitchers to improve on their control. Monroe pitchers walked more than they struck out last year, despite making a run to the WIAA Division 2 sectional final.
"You just can't do that and win," Buvid said. "With the level of competition we play, you just can't do that. We have to improve and I think we will get significantly better."
Armstrong, who emerged as a starting pitcher in the spring on the varsity team, has pitched in some high level tournaments this summer.
"Becca is getting better," Buvid said. "We are anxious to see how she does against varsity hitters. Our pitching can get better. Kristin and Erica continue to make progress. We hope to improve on (walks) and I think we will."
Generating consistent offensive production remains a focal point.
"The bigger problem this summer has been offensively," Buvid said.
If the Monroe Optimists No. 1 and 2 teams win their first games, they would play again at 4:15 p.m. The championship game is scheduled for 7:45 p.m.
"We have a lot of interest in our program and a lot of players," he said. "We have an incoming freshman class that is very talented."
The Monroe Optimists No. 2 team, which includes underclassmen and seniors who graduated in the spring, will open the tournament with a first-round game against Orangeville at 11 a.m. Sunday.
The Monroe Optimists No. 1 team will play Belmont at 12:45 p.m. Sunday. The eight-team championship-consolation tournament will feature Freeport, Orangeville, Brodhead, Belmont, Dodgeville and Orfordville.
"It's the one time in the summer we try to win it," Monroe coach Dale Buvid said, who will coach the Monroe Optimists No. 1 team. "This is part of the evaluation process for next year."
The last time Monroe had the tournament, Orangeville won the championship.
"Orangeville and Freeport are very good," Buvid said. "Belmont has been a state qualifier. If Brodhead has everybody, they will be good."
Becca Armstrong is expected to pitch for Monroe Optimists No. 1 along with Kristin McArdle. Erica Hegi is expected to pitch for Monroe Optimists No. 2.
Buvid wants the pitchers to improve on their control. Monroe pitchers walked more than they struck out last year, despite making a run to the WIAA Division 2 sectional final.
"You just can't do that and win," Buvid said. "With the level of competition we play, you just can't do that. We have to improve and I think we will get significantly better."
Armstrong, who emerged as a starting pitcher in the spring on the varsity team, has pitched in some high level tournaments this summer.
"Becca is getting better," Buvid said. "We are anxious to see how she does against varsity hitters. Our pitching can get better. Kristin and Erica continue to make progress. We hope to improve on (walks) and I think we will."
Generating consistent offensive production remains a focal point.
"The bigger problem this summer has been offensively," Buvid said.
If the Monroe Optimists No. 1 and 2 teams win their first games, they would play again at 4:15 p.m. The championship game is scheduled for 7:45 p.m.
"We have a lot of interest in our program and a lot of players," he said. "We have an incoming freshman class that is very talented."
