MONROE — For the third time this season, Monroe defeated Edgewood on Tuesday, May 23. This time, the 4-1 win meant more, as the Cheesemakers advanced to the regional final against McFarland, and the Crusaders went home with nothing.
“Beating a team for the third time is really hard to do, no matter who it is,” Monroe head coach Joe O’Leksy said. “A team that we beat in nine innings one time on a walk-off hit, and the other time on a two-run home run from [Katrina] Sathoff late in the game to win 7-4. Those games are in doubt the whole time.”
After a scoreless first, Edgewood struck in the top of the second. Lexie Koch and Grace Nwankwo tallied back-to-back hits. Freshman pitcher Kaegann Paulson struck out the next two batters, but Koch stole third during Kathryn Albright’s at-bat. Catcher Kate Kundert’s throw went into the outfield, and Koch scored. Paulson ended the inning with another strikeout, this time looking, to strikeout the side.
“I try to stay calm, but I also have a really positive mindset,” Paulson said of limiting the damage. “I have confidence in myself.”
Monroe responded in the bottom of the third to take a 2-1 lead. Kundert led off the inning, reaching on an error by left fielder Albright. Paulson then moved her into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Sathoff singled, and Sophie Golembiewski drew a seven-pitch walk to load the bases. After a strikeout, Katie Witt delivered a two-out, two-RBI single up the middle. The ball ricocheted off the pitcher’s mound and had too much spin for the shortstop to handle.
“We needed something. We hadn’t had a bounce go our way this year. That bounce went our way,” O’Leksy said. “It didn’t look like it was. I thought, we are going to get snakebit again.”
Edgewood took Paulson deep in counts in the fifth after getting a single from Lauren Bartelme, but Paulson battled back to get two strikeouts.
“She battled back and found a way to come back 3-0 or 3-1. She found the pitch and got back to even,” O’Leksy said. “Even if it’s close to the zone, they are going to swing then. I honestly think the heat helped her. I think she was getting tired, and it calmed her down and kept her under control.”
Paulson turned defense to offense, leading off the bottom of the fifth with a single. Sathoff reached base with a hit by pitch, and the two advanced on an error on first baseman Stella Roher. Brinley Roidt had popped up to right fielder Bartelme, catching Sathoff between first and second. Panicked by the opportunity to turn a double play, Roher couldn’t handle Bartelme’s throw, which went to the fence.
The error came back to haunt the Crusaders, as Witt delivered another two-out RBI single.
“I take a deep breath and take it all in,” Witt said. “I’m just trying to get the bat on the ball.”
After an error in the top of the sixth allowing Edgewood’s leadoff hitter to reach, the Cheesemaker defense shored up. Sathoff and second baseman Olivia Feller nearly turned a double play but got the lead out. Paulson then struck out Koch and got Nwankwo to pop out.
Although Monroe had a 3-1 lead going into the bottom of the sixth, the Cheesemakers weren’t satisfied. With two outs, Kundert won an 11-pitch battle by singling to left. Her hit set up Pauslon, who tripled to score pinch runner Addison Gille from first.
“I had all the confidence in Kate,” Paulson said. “I took her energy and used it.”
Facing the No. 6-9 batters in the bottom of the seventh, Paulson finished the game with a strikeout looking, sending Monroe to the regional final against McFarland on Thursday, May 25.
Paulson pitched a complete game to get the win. She struck out 12 and didn’t issue a walk. It was the first time in all her decisions she didn’t’ allow a free pass. Paulson also finished 2-for-3 at the plate with a triple and RBI. Witt led the offense, going 3-for-3 with three RBIs.
Monroe will face the No. 2 seed in the sectional, McFarland. The Spartans finished fourth in the Rock Valley Conference with a 10-8 record.
“Anything can happen,” Witt said. “We are ready.”
