MONROE — After its first losing season in 12 years and second in 30 years, Monroe looks to get back to its winning ways. 

“It shows how successful the Cheesemakers have been for years,” head coach Joe O’Leksy said. “First and foremost, we need to get back to our winning ways. We need to take one game at a time and try to improve each time out.”

O’Leksy believes the first step will come in the pitching staff of Katrina Sathoff (junior), Sophie Golembiewski (sophomore) and newcomer Keagann Paulson (freshman). 

Keagann, the younger sister to 2022 graduate andFirst-Team All-Conference shortstop Karis Paulson, could emerge as the team’s ace, according to O’Leksy.

“Keagann has the potential to be a dominant pitcher,” O’Leksy said. “Her average fastball is 57 mph, and she tops out at 62 mph. She matches it with a good change and movement pitches.”

Like many of her teammates, Keagann spent the summer gaining experience at the club softball level, which will translate to the spring season.

“Many of our players were on the same club team this summer and gained a lot of experience at a pretty high level,” O’Leksy said. “We hope that with a year of varsity experience and summer club softball games that our softball awareness during the game improves. Basically, we hope our softball IQ has improved.”

At the plate, Monroe will be led by Olivia Feller, Sathoff and Golembiewski, who each received All-Conference recognition a season ago.

Sathoff, who can also play shortstop, hit .410 with an on-base percentage of .495. She scored 25 runs and was never thrown out in 17 stolen base attempts, earning Second-Team All-Conference accolades.

Feller, too, made the Badger West All-Conference Second Team. As the second baseman, she hit .356 with 24 RBIs and five doubles.

Golembiewski, who also plays first, got on base at a .410 clip, drawing 15 walks. With four doubles, she earned Honorable Mention All-Conference recognition.

Catcher/Outfielder Brinley Roidt, third baseman Katie Witt and designated hitter Emma Tran will also contribute to the offense, as they collectively recorded 40 hits.

Although his pitching staff and offense is stacked, O’Leksy is worried about his defense and the youth of his team.

“We are still very young with the potential of starting a freshman and five to six sophomores,” O’Leksy said. “We will still have growing pains as players gain more experience. We had games last season with way too many errors.”

All of this will need to come together to compete with Oregon, Edgewood and Mount Horeb for the conference title. Each team has solid pitchers, support players and experienced staff. In light of all this, O’Leksy is confident his team will come through.

“The coaching staff is cautiously optimistic about the upcoming season,” O’Leksy said. “We hope to focus on one inning, one game at a time. The wins will come if we can stay focused and positive.”