MONROE - Three days after playing in a WIAA Division 2 state championship game, Monroe graduates Renee Schuttler and Kayla Rackow were back on the diamond playing in the Wisconsin Fastpitch Coaches Association Senior All-Star game.
Both Schuttler and Rackow were members of The WFSCA Division 2 black all-star team June 10 at Zenoff Park in Stevens Point.
Rackow, who plans to play softball at Edgewood College, was honored by her selection, but still couldn't help but ponder the state title game, a 6-0 loss to New Berlin Eisenhower.
"It felt weird," Rackow said. "At the time, I just wanted to have a break after the last game at state. But that is a really nice way to end my high school softball career. It's a great honor."
The WFSCA Division 2 black All-Star team lost to the White 9-0. Schuttler and Rackow both went 0-for-1 at the plate. Schuttler pitched 2-2/3 shutout innings. She gave up two hits and struck out four.
"After we lost the state game, I didn't want to go," Schuttler said. "That (the All-Star selection) ranks right up there. Getting to state was the goal. It was an amazing season and I'm glad we went out the way we did."
In the second game, the Division 2 black All-Star team lost 2-0 to the red. Schuttler and Rackow both went 0-for-2. Schuttler pitched three innings and gave up two runs on three hits and struck out three.
Schuttler and Rackow were nominated to play in the WFSCA All-Star game by Monroe coach Dale Buvid. The players were selected by the WFSCA. A total of 140 seniors were named to 12 different teams in Divisions 1-4.
"I was very appreciative of the nomination to be there," Rackow said.
Two players from Monroe made the trip a delight.
"It's rare to have more than one player from a team," Schuttler said.
It was the culmination of a fantastic season for two well-celebrated Cheesemakers who helped lead Monroe to a Division 2 state runner-up finish and a No. 1 ranking in Wisconsin Sports Net Fastpitch poll.
Schuttler, a second team all-state pitcher, was 14-0 with a 0.78 ERA and 136 strikeouts before a stellar state tournament. She also was an offensive force, hitting a team-high .429.
For Schuttler, who was a second team all-state utility player last year, the all-state accolade is rewarding.
"I obviously was really happy," Schuttler said. "For some reason, my senior year it means a lot more."
Rackow batted .346 before the state tournament and was a rock and defensive catalyst at second base with a .951 fielding percentage. Her role was magnified by the velocity with which Schuttler throws, forcing a lot of players to hit the ball the other way.
Rackow said winning the Badger South Conference, beating Verona, winning a sectional championship game on Emily Rufenacht's game-winning hit in the eighth and returning to state were her most memorable moments.
The team dinners filled with bonding stand out for Schuttler.
"That is why we made it as far as we did," she said. "I had a lot of fun."
Both Schuttler and Rackow were members of The WFSCA Division 2 black all-star team June 10 at Zenoff Park in Stevens Point.
Rackow, who plans to play softball at Edgewood College, was honored by her selection, but still couldn't help but ponder the state title game, a 6-0 loss to New Berlin Eisenhower.
"It felt weird," Rackow said. "At the time, I just wanted to have a break after the last game at state. But that is a really nice way to end my high school softball career. It's a great honor."
The WFSCA Division 2 black All-Star team lost to the White 9-0. Schuttler and Rackow both went 0-for-1 at the plate. Schuttler pitched 2-2/3 shutout innings. She gave up two hits and struck out four.
"After we lost the state game, I didn't want to go," Schuttler said. "That (the All-Star selection) ranks right up there. Getting to state was the goal. It was an amazing season and I'm glad we went out the way we did."
In the second game, the Division 2 black All-Star team lost 2-0 to the red. Schuttler and Rackow both went 0-for-2. Schuttler pitched three innings and gave up two runs on three hits and struck out three.
Schuttler and Rackow were nominated to play in the WFSCA All-Star game by Monroe coach Dale Buvid. The players were selected by the WFSCA. A total of 140 seniors were named to 12 different teams in Divisions 1-4.
"I was very appreciative of the nomination to be there," Rackow said.
Two players from Monroe made the trip a delight.
"It's rare to have more than one player from a team," Schuttler said.
It was the culmination of a fantastic season for two well-celebrated Cheesemakers who helped lead Monroe to a Division 2 state runner-up finish and a No. 1 ranking in Wisconsin Sports Net Fastpitch poll.
Schuttler, a second team all-state pitcher, was 14-0 with a 0.78 ERA and 136 strikeouts before a stellar state tournament. She also was an offensive force, hitting a team-high .429.
For Schuttler, who was a second team all-state utility player last year, the all-state accolade is rewarding.
"I obviously was really happy," Schuttler said. "For some reason, my senior year it means a lot more."
Rackow batted .346 before the state tournament and was a rock and defensive catalyst at second base with a .951 fielding percentage. Her role was magnified by the velocity with which Schuttler throws, forcing a lot of players to hit the ball the other way.
Rackow said winning the Badger South Conference, beating Verona, winning a sectional championship game on Emily Rufenacht's game-winning hit in the eighth and returning to state were her most memorable moments.
The team dinners filled with bonding stand out for Schuttler.
"That is why we made it as far as we did," she said. "I had a lot of fun."
