Monroe baseball (3-7, 2-6 Badger South):> There are a lot more wins piling up in the "moral" column than under"W" lately. Verona escaped the upstart Cheesemakers, 9-8, on its home diamond Thursday before Monroe pushed Madison Edgewood, ranked No. 1 in Division 2, to its limits Tuesday evening in a 4-3 loss at Monroe High School.
Monroe softball (15-2, 9-1 Badger South):> It's no secret that Monroe boasts one of the best pitching staffs in the state. Even though Baraboo and Madison Edgewood knew what they had in store, the Thunderbirds were no-hit by No. 2 starter Carlie Olsen Monday evening before Monroe returned to Twining, where ace Renee Schuttler struck out 17 and was just a walk short of a perfect game in the first game of a 5-0, 16-0 doublheader sweep of the Crusaders on Tuesday. The victories clinched at least a share of the South title.
Track and field:> The shorthanded Lady Cheesemakers swept Tuesday's Badger Conference triple dual at Monona Grove and their male counterparts went home happy, as well. The boys routed evenly-matched Oregon, while the super Silver Eagles cleaned up on their stomping grounds.
Soccer (3-6-1):> Winning the Whitewater Invitational title Friday evening spilled into Tuesday's 3-2 shocker against Sauk Prairie at home. Monroe used the wind to build a 2-0 lead at half and countered two Sauk goals in the second when Kylee Ritschard scored the winner with less than five minutes to play.
Tennis:> Nick Hendrickson's and Pat Gellings' 7-6, 2-6, 6-4. victory in No. 3 doubles play allowed the Cheesemakers to escape Verona with a match win during a 6-1 loss to the Wildcats.
Golf:> The Cheesemakers placed third Saturday at the Sauk Prairie Invitational. Senior ace Gary Petit finished third at the meet with a 10-over 80 and Badger teams went 1-2-3 in the standings.
Area Baseball>
More than meets the eye:> While being swept in a doubleheader with Monticello would have been devastating for Juda, what would have made matters worse is that the two clubs share a regional. Aaron Duecker came through with a game-winning solo home run in the seventh inning to lift Juda to a 3-2 victory after Monticello senior Dusty Ritschard threw a complete-game shutout in the 4-0 opener.
Warriors roll in rivalry:> Black Hawk jumped out with seven early runs and cruised to a 7-3 victory over Six Rivers East rival Pecatonica on Monday evening to pull the clubs dead even at 4-3 in the conference. That was until the Vikings finished off Albany, 11-2, Tuesday night in completing a rain-suspended game. Juda is in a virtual tie with Black Hawk for third in the East at 5-4.
Area Softball>
Black Hawk bubble burst:> Argyle part-time pitcher, part-time Vlad Guerrero impersonator Sierra Granberg gunned down the potential tying run as the Orioles stole a 6-5 upset in South Wayne. The Warriors must win out and hope for a Barneveld loss if they want to share the Six Rivers East title.
Top tickets>
Baseball>
Today - Verona at Monroe, 5 p.m.:> Maybe the third time's a charm. This battle's been postponed twice and Monroe lost a 9-8 nailbiter at Verona last Thursday.
Today - Black Hawk at Monticello, 4:30 p.m.:> Black Hawk still has an outside shot at the Six Rivers East title, while the Ponies still are just midway through their league schedule at 2-4.
Softball>
Saturday - Black Hawk Tournament, 10 a.m.:> Six Rivers foes round out a strong field in South Wayne.
Golf>
Friday - Verona and Oregon at Monroe, 3:45 p.m.:> Before the Cheesemakers have some fun at Saturday morning's best ball tournament, they'll entertain two conference foes at Monroe Country Club.
