FORT ATKINSON - In an all-around display of both offensive prowess and stifling defense, the Monroe softball team picked up a 7-0 shutout against conference foe Fort Atkinson.
Natalie Dillon started on the mound for the Cheesemakers, and the sophomore hurler did not disappoint. Dillon's no-hit bid carried into the fourth inning, until a bloop single by Fort Atkinson got their first and last hit of the night. Dillon finished the night with only one hit allowed, one walk, and seven strikeouts in all seven innings of work.
"She (Dillon) was hitting on all cylinders tonight," Monroe coach Dale Buvid said. "She did a nice job in hitting the corners and throwing at their knees. Fort Atkinson is a pretty good team that will finish well in conference, and it was great to see Natalie work in her second and third off-speed pitches. She's so much better once she gets those working, and that's always great for us as a team."
At the plate, senior Taylor O'Leksy had a night that many will never forget. The senior accounted for every one of the Cheesemakers runs, as she finished 3-for-4, with 6 RBIs including a grand slam in the fifth inning.
"That was huge for us," Buvid said. "We were only up two runs at the time, and they (Fort Atkinson) were hanging around. So for her to rip one on the sweet spot like that was a big hit for us."
With the win, the Cheesemakers move to 13-1 (5-0) on the season, with aspirations only continuing to grow.
"We're playing really well right now," Buvid said. "We've been pretty consistent on offense all year, and we like the way that we're playing defensively. A lot of players are doing a great job of getting better each and every day, and hopefully we can keep things rolling."
Natalie Dillon started on the mound for the Cheesemakers, and the sophomore hurler did not disappoint. Dillon's no-hit bid carried into the fourth inning, until a bloop single by Fort Atkinson got their first and last hit of the night. Dillon finished the night with only one hit allowed, one walk, and seven strikeouts in all seven innings of work.
"She (Dillon) was hitting on all cylinders tonight," Monroe coach Dale Buvid said. "She did a nice job in hitting the corners and throwing at their knees. Fort Atkinson is a pretty good team that will finish well in conference, and it was great to see Natalie work in her second and third off-speed pitches. She's so much better once she gets those working, and that's always great for us as a team."
At the plate, senior Taylor O'Leksy had a night that many will never forget. The senior accounted for every one of the Cheesemakers runs, as she finished 3-for-4, with 6 RBIs including a grand slam in the fifth inning.
"That was huge for us," Buvid said. "We were only up two runs at the time, and they (Fort Atkinson) were hanging around. So for her to rip one on the sweet spot like that was a big hit for us."
With the win, the Cheesemakers move to 13-1 (5-0) on the season, with aspirations only continuing to grow.
"We're playing really well right now," Buvid said. "We've been pretty consistent on offense all year, and we like the way that we're playing defensively. A lot of players are doing a great job of getting better each and every day, and hopefully we can keep things rolling."
