MONROE - Kayla Updike has worn her same black Nike socks to every game and eaten the same breakfast - toast and a banana - every game day this season.
Now, she's hoping her routine and hot hitting will continue through the WIAA Division 2 state tournament this week in Madison.
Updike, a Monroe junior, is hitting .411 with a team-leading three home runs, 12 doubles and 35 RBIs and 39 hits. She is also second on the team with 17 stolen bases. Updike is just three hits away from breaking the single-season hits record of 41 set by junior Ellie Grossen last year.
"I think for me to stay on a streak and hitting the ball well gives me confidence," Updike said. "I'm hoping my bat is hot. I feel like this has been a pretty good year for me hitting wise."
Monroe coach Dale Buvid isn't surprised by Updkie's surge this season. She hit .370 last year and led the team in RBIs. She also helped the Cheesemakers (27-2) compile an unbeaten season in the Badger South Conference for the first time in the school's history.
"She, in my opinion, has been very consistent," Buvid said. "She has hit with a bit more power. She has had some big hits at big times."
Updike has knocked in eight runs in her last two games. In the first meeting against Fort Atkinson this year, she went 3-for-4 to lead the Cheesemakers to a 4-2 win.
"(Updike) has been a Fort Atkinson-killer," Buvid said.
Now, she's hoping her routine and hot hitting will continue through the WIAA Division 2 state tournament this week in Madison.
Updike, a Monroe junior, is hitting .411 with a team-leading three home runs, 12 doubles and 35 RBIs and 39 hits. She is also second on the team with 17 stolen bases. Updike is just three hits away from breaking the single-season hits record of 41 set by junior Ellie Grossen last year.
"I think for me to stay on a streak and hitting the ball well gives me confidence," Updike said. "I'm hoping my bat is hot. I feel like this has been a pretty good year for me hitting wise."
Monroe coach Dale Buvid isn't surprised by Updkie's surge this season. She hit .370 last year and led the team in RBIs. She also helped the Cheesemakers (27-2) compile an unbeaten season in the Badger South Conference for the first time in the school's history.
"She, in my opinion, has been very consistent," Buvid said. "She has hit with a bit more power. She has had some big hits at big times."
Updike has knocked in eight runs in her last two games. In the first meeting against Fort Atkinson this year, she went 3-for-4 to lead the Cheesemakers to a 4-2 win.
"(Updike) has been a Fort Atkinson-killer," Buvid said.
