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Cheesemakers Score Wild Walk-Off Win Over Cardinals
paulson scores softball
Monroe’s Kaegan Paulson scores during her team’s 6-5 win over Brodhead in the final at-bat on April 8. Paulson got the win on the mound, went 3-for-4 at the plate and scored three runs — including the game-winner in the bottom of the seventh. - photo by Mark Evenstad


MONROE — Two Rock Valley Conference teams with high expectations to lead their respected divisions squared off at Twining Park in Monroe on April 8 as the Monroe Cheesemakers hosted the Brodhead Cardinals. The Cheesemakers won, 6-5 on senior Brinley Roidt’s RBI single in the bottom of the seventh inning to score starting pitcher, junior Kaegan Paulson, with the winning run.

The Cheesemakers got off to a fast start against Brodhead starting pitcher Ava Risum, scoring four times on an RBI hit by Roidt, a two-run single by senior Olivia Feller, and an RBI infield single by senior Alexis Herbst to take a 4-0 lead. The Cardinals battled back with single runs in the third and the fifth to pull to within 4-2. Monroe made it 5-2 in the fifth as Paulson got a base hit with two outs and stole second. Roidt’s base hit brought home Paulson and the Cheesemakers had a 5-2 lead. 

paulson scores softball
Monroe’s Kaegan Paulson scores the game-winner in the bottom of the seventh inning of her team’s 6-5 win over Brodhead in the final at-bat on April 8. Paulson got the win on the mound, went 3-for-4 at the plate and scored three runs. - photo by Mark Evenstad

The Cardinals tied the game with two runs in the sixth and another run in the top of the seventh after right fielder Kennedy Zimmerman struck out and Risum walked. Junior Leah Rear reached on a fielder’s choice that forced Risum at second. Third baseman Mady Henning walked to send Rear to second. Junior catcher Karli Krumwiede then tied the game at 5-5 with an RBI single that scored Rear.  The Cheesemakers went to work quickly in the bottom of the seventh against Risum. Paulson led off the inning with a single to center. While senior first baseman Sophie Golembiewski struck out, Paulson stole second, setting the stage for Roidt to deliver the game-winning RBI.

Roidt finished the game with three hits in four at-bats and two RBIs for the Cheesemakers. Paulson was also 3x4 with three runs scored. Feller had a hit (a triple), a run scored, and drove in two runs for Monroe. In the pitching circle, Paulson gave up five runs, four earned runs, on seven hits. Paulson walked four and struck out 12. 

Brodhead coach Chad Risum was pleased to see his team fight back after trailing 5-2. 

“They adjusted and fought hard and they (Monroe) just came out ahead,” Chad Risum said. “We should’ve taken care of business earlier in the game.”

For the Cardinals, Rear went 3x4 with a double and an RBI. Junior Keegan Steinke had a hit and two RBIs for Brodhead. At the plate, Risum was 2x3 and scored two runs. Risum took the loss, pitching 6 1/3 innings, giving up six runs on 12 hits. Risum walked none and struck out 12. 

Monroe head coach Joe O’Leksy said his team remained confident after Brodhead tied the game in the seventh inning. 

“We never had our heads down and the girls just willed it into winning this game,” said O’Leksy.

With the loss, the Cardinals fall to 2-1 in the RVC-Rock Division, and 3-1 overall. Brodhead plays at Turner on April 15. 

The Cheesemakers improve to 5-1 overall with the win and 2-1 in the RVC-Valley Division. Monroe was set to host Turner on April 10 and then travel to Stoughton on April 12.