MONROE - The Monroe softball team turned to small ball to shake a nasty offensive slump.
The Cheesemakers stole seven bases, laid down two sacrifice bunts and received RBI sacrifice flies from sophomore Kayla Updike and senior Kasey Gutzmer en route to a 5-3 win against Oregon on Tuesday at Twining Park.
Monroe sophomore Ellie Grossen went 1-for-2 with a triple and two stolen bases.
"He definitely wants us to be more aggressive on the bases," Grossen said of Monroe coach Dale Buvid said. "To do that we have to get on base and we did that today. It's nice to get those hits coming off a loss (3-0 to Stoughton) like yesterday. People really came through today."
Monroe (8-7, 5-4 Badger South) entered play averaging three runs per game over its last six contests. When asked if the Cheesemakers went back to the basics of running and bunting since they have been in an offensive struggle, Buvid said that is a good observation.
"It's also easier when you have a pitcher like Becca (Armstrong) who is throwing really hard," Buvid said. "You can be more aggressive. We tried to manufacture some more runs."
Armstrong pitched 4 2/3 innings and gave up one unearned run on three hits. She struck out four and walked two.
Junior Samantha Solberg pitched 2 1/3 innings to close out the win. She gave up two earned runs on three hits.
Buvid was encouraged by Armstrong's performance.
"She threw with a lot better pace than yesterday," he said. "She had better location."
The Cheesemakers took the lead in the first inning when Grossen was hit by a pitch, moved to second on a sacrifice and stole third. Updike, who had three stolen bases, knocked her in with a sacrifice fly.
The Cheesemakers scored all three times their leadoff hitter reached base.
In the fourth, Kari Jordan led off with a single and senior Alyssa Montgomery moved her into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Junior Lauren Hendrickon then ripped an RBI single to center. Armstrong laid down a bunt and the Cheesemakers scored to push the lead to 4-0.
"We are still lacking the timely hits with two outs," Buvid said. "It would be nice to see some more of those."
The Cheesemakers turned in several dazzling defensive plays. Sophomore catcher Chandra McGuire threw CeeCee Herale out when she strayed too far off first in the second. Grossen turned an unassisted inning-ending double play in the fourth. In the fifth, the Cheesemakers threw Herale out at the plate.
"I feel like our defense is getting better," Grossen said. "It helps having Becca pitching great and having Sam come in and do a good job. Our defense is getting sharper every game."
The Cheesemakers stole seven bases, laid down two sacrifice bunts and received RBI sacrifice flies from sophomore Kayla Updike and senior Kasey Gutzmer en route to a 5-3 win against Oregon on Tuesday at Twining Park.
Monroe sophomore Ellie Grossen went 1-for-2 with a triple and two stolen bases.
"He definitely wants us to be more aggressive on the bases," Grossen said of Monroe coach Dale Buvid said. "To do that we have to get on base and we did that today. It's nice to get those hits coming off a loss (3-0 to Stoughton) like yesterday. People really came through today."
Monroe (8-7, 5-4 Badger South) entered play averaging three runs per game over its last six contests. When asked if the Cheesemakers went back to the basics of running and bunting since they have been in an offensive struggle, Buvid said that is a good observation.
"It's also easier when you have a pitcher like Becca (Armstrong) who is throwing really hard," Buvid said. "You can be more aggressive. We tried to manufacture some more runs."
Armstrong pitched 4 2/3 innings and gave up one unearned run on three hits. She struck out four and walked two.
Junior Samantha Solberg pitched 2 1/3 innings to close out the win. She gave up two earned runs on three hits.
Buvid was encouraged by Armstrong's performance.
"She threw with a lot better pace than yesterday," he said. "She had better location."
The Cheesemakers took the lead in the first inning when Grossen was hit by a pitch, moved to second on a sacrifice and stole third. Updike, who had three stolen bases, knocked her in with a sacrifice fly.
The Cheesemakers scored all three times their leadoff hitter reached base.
In the fourth, Kari Jordan led off with a single and senior Alyssa Montgomery moved her into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Junior Lauren Hendrickon then ripped an RBI single to center. Armstrong laid down a bunt and the Cheesemakers scored to push the lead to 4-0.
"We are still lacking the timely hits with two outs," Buvid said. "It would be nice to see some more of those."
The Cheesemakers turned in several dazzling defensive plays. Sophomore catcher Chandra McGuire threw CeeCee Herale out when she strayed too far off first in the second. Grossen turned an unassisted inning-ending double play in the fourth. In the fifth, the Cheesemakers threw Herale out at the plate.
"I feel like our defense is getting better," Grossen said. "It helps having Becca pitching great and having Sam come in and do a good job. Our defense is getting sharper every game."
