LENA - With a gusty wind, the Monroe softball team's offense exploded in posting two wins in a Lena-Winslow tournament Saturday, May 11.
Monroe (20-2, 10-0 Badger South) came back to defeat Freeport Aquin 12-9 and also stormed back to beat Prophetstown 17-7 in six innings.
The Cheesemakers were the only team to finish the day 2-0. The Cheesemakers have ridden the success of their pitching and defense most of the year. "I think we are starting to click on offense," Monroe coach Dale Buvid said. "The wind might have been a factor in that. There were a lot of positive signs on the offensive side. It's nice to see the offense get going and win games for the pitchers by outscoring the other team."
The Cheesemakers scored four runs in the sixth inning to cap the comeback win. Monroe junior Chandra McGuire singled and junior Kayla Updike doubled. Junior Taylor O'Leksy then came through with a RBI double. Kari Jordan reached on an infield single and senior Samantha Solberg had an RBI single to give the Cheesemakers the victory.
With Monroe trailing 5-4 in the fourth inning, Updike hit a grand slam to give the Cheesemakers an 8-5 lead.
Updike went 3-for-4 with a grand slam and four RBIs. Monroe senior Elicia Frie went 2-for-2 with a triple and Solberg was 2-for-3. Senior Heather Barta and O'Leksy each were 2-for-4. Monroe junior Amanda Putz had an RBI triple.
"It was nice to see some of the girls who have not got a ton of playing time have some success," Buvid said. "They were key to this win."
Solberg pitched a complete game against Aquin and gave up eight runs, but just five earned on 12 hits. She struck out nine and walked five.
"It was a tough day for pitching and defense because the wind wrecked havoc out there," Buvid said. "She (Solberg) battled. The wind would make any ball hit to right travel 50 feet further."
In the second game against Prophetstown, the Cheesemakers pounded out 19 hits. The Prophets scored four runs in the first and the Cheesemakers battled back with a five-run first.
O'Leksy went 4-for-4 with a home run and five RBIs and three runs scored. McGuire went 4-for-5 with two RBIs and three runs scored. Monroe junior Kirsten Vetterli went 3-for-4 with a three-run triple in the first, junior Ellie Grossen was 3-for-5 with two RBIs and Updike was 2-for-5.
After giving up seven runs in the first two innings, Monroe senior Becca Armstrong followed with four more shutout innings.
"She (Armstrong) is kind of running on fumes," Buvid said. "We were cautious with her earlier in the year. I think the volume of games and the week after prom took its toll. She came back and gave our offense a chance. We have to get the explosiveness in her fastball back. We have to get her rest and keep her healthy."
Monroe will host Fort Atkinson today at 5 p.m. at Twining Park with a Badger South Conference championship on the line. The Cheesemakers need just one more win in their last two games to clinch an outright conference title.
Monroe (20-2, 10-0 Badger South) came back to defeat Freeport Aquin 12-9 and also stormed back to beat Prophetstown 17-7 in six innings.
The Cheesemakers were the only team to finish the day 2-0. The Cheesemakers have ridden the success of their pitching and defense most of the year. "I think we are starting to click on offense," Monroe coach Dale Buvid said. "The wind might have been a factor in that. There were a lot of positive signs on the offensive side. It's nice to see the offense get going and win games for the pitchers by outscoring the other team."
The Cheesemakers scored four runs in the sixth inning to cap the comeback win. Monroe junior Chandra McGuire singled and junior Kayla Updike doubled. Junior Taylor O'Leksy then came through with a RBI double. Kari Jordan reached on an infield single and senior Samantha Solberg had an RBI single to give the Cheesemakers the victory.
With Monroe trailing 5-4 in the fourth inning, Updike hit a grand slam to give the Cheesemakers an 8-5 lead.
Updike went 3-for-4 with a grand slam and four RBIs. Monroe senior Elicia Frie went 2-for-2 with a triple and Solberg was 2-for-3. Senior Heather Barta and O'Leksy each were 2-for-4. Monroe junior Amanda Putz had an RBI triple.
"It was nice to see some of the girls who have not got a ton of playing time have some success," Buvid said. "They were key to this win."
Solberg pitched a complete game against Aquin and gave up eight runs, but just five earned on 12 hits. She struck out nine and walked five.
"It was a tough day for pitching and defense because the wind wrecked havoc out there," Buvid said. "She (Solberg) battled. The wind would make any ball hit to right travel 50 feet further."
In the second game against Prophetstown, the Cheesemakers pounded out 19 hits. The Prophets scored four runs in the first and the Cheesemakers battled back with a five-run first.
O'Leksy went 4-for-4 with a home run and five RBIs and three runs scored. McGuire went 4-for-5 with two RBIs and three runs scored. Monroe junior Kirsten Vetterli went 3-for-4 with a three-run triple in the first, junior Ellie Grossen was 3-for-5 with two RBIs and Updike was 2-for-5.
After giving up seven runs in the first two innings, Monroe senior Becca Armstrong followed with four more shutout innings.
"She (Armstrong) is kind of running on fumes," Buvid said. "We were cautious with her earlier in the year. I think the volume of games and the week after prom took its toll. She came back and gave our offense a chance. We have to get the explosiveness in her fastball back. We have to get her rest and keep her healthy."
Monroe will host Fort Atkinson today at 5 p.m. at Twining Park with a Badger South Conference championship on the line. The Cheesemakers need just one more win in their last two games to clinch an outright conference title.
