MONROE - A leadoff hitter's No. 1 job is to find a way to get on base.
In that regard, Ellie Grossen has been a high achiever for the Monroe softball team this season.
The sophomore leads Monroe in batting average (.419), hits (39), extra-base hits (13), triples (7), stolen bases (17) and on-base percentage (.529) entering tonight's WIAA Division 2 state semifinal game against Plymouth at Goodman Diamond in Madison.
The 39 hits are a single-season school record - one better than the totals by Emily Rufenacht in 2009 and Amy Heinzelman in 2005.
Grossen said she was unaware she had set he program hits record.
"It feels great to be able to contribute to the team like that," Grossen said. "It's an accomplishment."
Monroe coach Dale Buvid calls his shortstop "a five-tool player."
"She hits for average and power. She has speed and can steal bases for you. She's a good defender. If she can cut down on her strikeouts, she has a chance to play at the next level," Buvid said.
Grossen has high expectations entering the season's final weekend.
"I think last year we were just happy to get there," Grossen said. "This year we want more."
She isn't surprised the Cheesemakers have reeled off 14 straight wins.
"In the beginning of the year, I knew we would have a good team because we have a lot of strong players," she said. "It (state) definitely wasn't out of reach. We definitely think we can go further than last year."
In that regard, Ellie Grossen has been a high achiever for the Monroe softball team this season.
The sophomore leads Monroe in batting average (.419), hits (39), extra-base hits (13), triples (7), stolen bases (17) and on-base percentage (.529) entering tonight's WIAA Division 2 state semifinal game against Plymouth at Goodman Diamond in Madison.
The 39 hits are a single-season school record - one better than the totals by Emily Rufenacht in 2009 and Amy Heinzelman in 2005.
Grossen said she was unaware she had set he program hits record.
"It feels great to be able to contribute to the team like that," Grossen said. "It's an accomplishment."
Monroe coach Dale Buvid calls his shortstop "a five-tool player."
"She hits for average and power. She has speed and can steal bases for you. She's a good defender. If she can cut down on her strikeouts, she has a chance to play at the next level," Buvid said.
Grossen has high expectations entering the season's final weekend.
"I think last year we were just happy to get there," Grossen said. "This year we want more."
She isn't surprised the Cheesemakers have reeled off 14 straight wins.
"In the beginning of the year, I knew we would have a good team because we have a lot of strong players," she said. "It (state) definitely wasn't out of reach. We definitely think we can go further than last year."
