MONROE — The Cheesemakers bats exploded for the third game in a row as they dominated Stoughton 18-7 May 4 in a Badger South matchup. Monroe has scored 50 runs over its last three games since an 11-1 loss to Monona Grove April 29.

After giving up a run in the top of the first, the Cheesemakers plated two in the bottom half of the frame. Monroe scored two more in the third to go ahead 4-1, only for the Vikings to score six unearned runs in the top of the fourth inning on Emma Wild.

Sloane Ambrose closed the door in the bottom of the frame. Trailing 7-4, Monroe went right to work in the bottom of the fourth, scoring five runs to regain the lead 9-7. In the bottom of the sixth, Monroe batted around the order, plating nine runs.

Sydney Updike and Katie Hayes were each 4-for-4 for Monroe, while Ambrose was 3-for-3 with a walk. Alyse Maurer was 2-for-4 with a walk and three runs scored. Updike scored four times, Ambrose three times and Karis Paulson, Payton Johnson and Katrina Sathoff each scored twice. Sathoff also had three hits, and Maurer, Updike and Hayes all had three RBIs. Maddie Leck and Updike each had two doubles, and Ambrose and Maurer also collected doubles. 

Eleven of Monroe’s 18 runs were unearned. In 3.2 innings of work, Wild struck out four and allowed eight hits and two walks, including a home run to Savanna Jemilo, who also had two doubles for Stoughton. 

Up next for Monroe was a road game at Oregon May 7, with a softball game at home against Watertown slated for May 11.