MONROE - There are so many memorable games in Monroe softball coach Dale Buvid's career that it's difficult to count them all. But there are several special moments that stand out, including when the Cheesemakers won the WIAA Division 2 state championship in 2003 with Buvid's daughter Amy on the team.
"The games leading up to the state championship and the state championship game in 2003 are at the top of the list," Buvid said.
Run to 2003 state championship
The Monroe softball team outdueled Dodgeville to win an eight-inning nail-biter 1-0 over the Dodgers in a Division 2 sectional semifinal game in 2003.
Monroe then knocked off defending state champion Shawno 3-2 in 10 innings in a state semifinal game. Amy Bahler delivered a game-winning walk-off RBI double in the bottom of the seventh inning to score Amie Heinzelman to give the Cheesemakers a thrilling 4-3 win over Union Grove in the state championship game.
"Nothing like a state championship and having my daughter Amy being a big part of some of those wins made it extra special," Buvid said.
Beating Stanford recruit Coon
One year after winning the state title, Monroe made a Florida trip and faced Horace Greeley High School from New York state. Led by Stanford recruit Maddy Coon, Horace Greeley had been rolling to big wins in Florida and led Monroe 1-0 going into the seventh inning.
In the seventh, Monroe's Amanda Krier singled and Sydnee Wyss had a clutch game-tying RBI triple. Heinzelman hit a go-ahead two-run home run and Teresa Sinnett had an RBI single to give the Cheesemakers a comeback 4-1 win.
"Maddy Coon went on to play third base at Stanford and we saw her play on TV in the College World Series a few years later," Buvid said. 'She was probably the best softball player I have ever seen. She was the real deal."
Pitching, defense top Prairie du Chien
The Cheesemakers beat Prairie du Chien in a WIAA Division 2 sectional final 1-0 in eight innings in 2008. Monroe's Brandi Trewartha threw out a runner at the plate in the seventh inning to preserve a scoreless game. Emily Rufenacht came through with a game-winning RBI double to score Maggie Schuttler to win the game in the bottom of the eighth. Monroe pitcher Renee Schuttler struck out 16 to get the shutout win. Monroe went on to beat Rice Lake 3-1 and lost the state title game to New Berlin Eisenhower 6-0.
Roberts steps up into ace role
In 2009, Meghan Roberts, who had only pitched seven innings as a junior, developed into an ace pitcher to lead the Cheesemakers to a surprise run to state. Monroe beat Port Washington in a state semifinal 2-1 and lost the state title game to Luxemburg-Casco 4-1.
Defense lifts CheeseMAKERS
In 2011, Kasey Gutzmer, Chandra McGuire and Heather Barta threw Portage runners out at the plate in a 12-inning, 3-2 win over Portage in a sectional semifinal.
Gutzmer home run propels Monroe
In 2012, Gutzmer's home run in the sixth inning broke a tie game and sent the Cheesemakers to the sectional final where they beat Richland Center 3-0. Becca Armstrong starred as a pitcher and there were four sophomores - Ellie Grossen, Chandra McGuire, Kayla Updike and Taylor O'Leksy - at the top of the lineup. Monroe knocked off Plymouth 5-1 in a state semifinal and lost to Baldwin-Woodville in the title game.
Monroe sets school record
In 2013, the Cheesemakers set a school record with 27 wins and had an unbeaten Badger South Conference season. Monroe lost in the state semifinal to eventual state champion New London.
"The games leading up to the state championship and the state championship game in 2003 are at the top of the list," Buvid said.
Run to 2003 state championship
The Monroe softball team outdueled Dodgeville to win an eight-inning nail-biter 1-0 over the Dodgers in a Division 2 sectional semifinal game in 2003.
Monroe then knocked off defending state champion Shawno 3-2 in 10 innings in a state semifinal game. Amy Bahler delivered a game-winning walk-off RBI double in the bottom of the seventh inning to score Amie Heinzelman to give the Cheesemakers a thrilling 4-3 win over Union Grove in the state championship game.
"Nothing like a state championship and having my daughter Amy being a big part of some of those wins made it extra special," Buvid said.
Beating Stanford recruit Coon
One year after winning the state title, Monroe made a Florida trip and faced Horace Greeley High School from New York state. Led by Stanford recruit Maddy Coon, Horace Greeley had been rolling to big wins in Florida and led Monroe 1-0 going into the seventh inning.
In the seventh, Monroe's Amanda Krier singled and Sydnee Wyss had a clutch game-tying RBI triple. Heinzelman hit a go-ahead two-run home run and Teresa Sinnett had an RBI single to give the Cheesemakers a comeback 4-1 win.
"Maddy Coon went on to play third base at Stanford and we saw her play on TV in the College World Series a few years later," Buvid said. 'She was probably the best softball player I have ever seen. She was the real deal."
Pitching, defense top Prairie du Chien
The Cheesemakers beat Prairie du Chien in a WIAA Division 2 sectional final 1-0 in eight innings in 2008. Monroe's Brandi Trewartha threw out a runner at the plate in the seventh inning to preserve a scoreless game. Emily Rufenacht came through with a game-winning RBI double to score Maggie Schuttler to win the game in the bottom of the eighth. Monroe pitcher Renee Schuttler struck out 16 to get the shutout win. Monroe went on to beat Rice Lake 3-1 and lost the state title game to New Berlin Eisenhower 6-0.
Roberts steps up into ace role
In 2009, Meghan Roberts, who had only pitched seven innings as a junior, developed into an ace pitcher to lead the Cheesemakers to a surprise run to state. Monroe beat Port Washington in a state semifinal 2-1 and lost the state title game to Luxemburg-Casco 4-1.
Defense lifts CheeseMAKERS
In 2011, Kasey Gutzmer, Chandra McGuire and Heather Barta threw Portage runners out at the plate in a 12-inning, 3-2 win over Portage in a sectional semifinal.
Gutzmer home run propels Monroe
In 2012, Gutzmer's home run in the sixth inning broke a tie game and sent the Cheesemakers to the sectional final where they beat Richland Center 3-0. Becca Armstrong starred as a pitcher and there were four sophomores - Ellie Grossen, Chandra McGuire, Kayla Updike and Taylor O'Leksy - at the top of the lineup. Monroe knocked off Plymouth 5-1 in a state semifinal and lost to Baldwin-Woodville in the title game.
Monroe sets school record
In 2013, the Cheesemakers set a school record with 27 wins and had an unbeaten Badger South Conference season. Monroe lost in the state semifinal to eventual state champion New London.
