MONROE - The Monroe Cheesemakers had chances, but couldn't cash in. The Stoughton Vikings had few chances, but made the most of it. The end result for the Cheesemakers was a 2-1 loss to the Vikings in a Badger South Conference game Thursday.
The Cheesemakers took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning, when senior Kristin McArdle singled and moved to second on an error. Senior Sarah Kloepping sacrificed her to third and senior Kaylee Craigo drove in McArdle with a ground out.
Monroe got the lead-off hitter on base in three of the first four innings, but then went 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position.
Stoughton got all the scoring it needed with two runs in the fifth inning. After retiring the first two batters, Monroe starting pitcher Becca Armstrong walked the next two. A passed ball allowed the runners to advance to second and third. Stoughton's Andrea Lawrence lined a base hit to drive in both runners and put the Vikings ahead to stay.
"When you score just one run, it's the little things that come back to haunt you. It's magnified and can cost you a game," Monroe coach Dale Buvid said.
Armstrong pitched all seven innings and gave up just one earned run on three hits. She walked two and struck out six.
"We played well defensively but we just couldn't get the big hit when we needed it," Buvid said.
This Saturday, Monroe (5-3, 3-2 Badger South) will host the Monroe Invitational that was rained out last week. The tournament will feature Freeport, Juda, Orangeville, Waterford, and Stevens Point, the No. 2-ranked team in Division 1. The tournament begins at 10:15 a.m. at Twining Park.
The Cheesemakers took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning, when senior Kristin McArdle singled and moved to second on an error. Senior Sarah Kloepping sacrificed her to third and senior Kaylee Craigo drove in McArdle with a ground out.
Monroe got the lead-off hitter on base in three of the first four innings, but then went 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position.
Stoughton got all the scoring it needed with two runs in the fifth inning. After retiring the first two batters, Monroe starting pitcher Becca Armstrong walked the next two. A passed ball allowed the runners to advance to second and third. Stoughton's Andrea Lawrence lined a base hit to drive in both runners and put the Vikings ahead to stay.
"When you score just one run, it's the little things that come back to haunt you. It's magnified and can cost you a game," Monroe coach Dale Buvid said.
Armstrong pitched all seven innings and gave up just one earned run on three hits. She walked two and struck out six.
"We played well defensively but we just couldn't get the big hit when we needed it," Buvid said.
This Saturday, Monroe (5-3, 3-2 Badger South) will host the Monroe Invitational that was rained out last week. The tournament will feature Freeport, Juda, Orangeville, Waterford, and Stevens Point, the No. 2-ranked team in Division 1. The tournament begins at 10:15 a.m. at Twining Park.
