MONROE - Monroe will host its annual fastpitch softball tournament Sunday at Twining Park.
The eight team tournament will feature several area teams including Monroe Optimists No. 1, Monroe Optimists No. 2, Orangeville and Lena.
The Monroe Optimists No. 1 (4-3) received the tournament's No. 2 seed and will play Dodgeville in a first round game at 11 a.m. Sunday at Twining Park East. Monroe is the defending tournament champion.
"This is the one weekend we point to during the summer," Monroe coach Dale Buvid said. "The tournament is the one time we try to compete to win."
Orangeville (5-1) received the No. 1 seed and have defeated Monroe Optimists No. 1 in two out of three games in summer league play. The Monroe Optimists No. 1 team includes several key contributors in the state runner-up finish in the spring including Brandi Trewartha, Maggie Schuttler, Emily Rufenacht and Gwen Sutter.
"Orangeville is the favorite," Buvid said. "If we go that far and play them in the championship game, we will certainly have our hands full."
Monroe is working to develop pitchers Meghan Roberts and Jessica Beckman. Roberts and Beckman are replacing Renee Schuttler and Carlie Olsen who dominated in the spring for the Cheesemakers.
"They are working hard and closing that gap," Buvid said. "We are looking at this tournament where we can identify some players who can help us on the varsity level a year from now."
The eight team tournament will feature several area teams including Monroe Optimists No. 1, Monroe Optimists No. 2, Orangeville and Lena.
The Monroe Optimists No. 1 (4-3) received the tournament's No. 2 seed and will play Dodgeville in a first round game at 11 a.m. Sunday at Twining Park East. Monroe is the defending tournament champion.
"This is the one weekend we point to during the summer," Monroe coach Dale Buvid said. "The tournament is the one time we try to compete to win."
Orangeville (5-1) received the No. 1 seed and have defeated Monroe Optimists No. 1 in two out of three games in summer league play. The Monroe Optimists No. 1 team includes several key contributors in the state runner-up finish in the spring including Brandi Trewartha, Maggie Schuttler, Emily Rufenacht and Gwen Sutter.
"Orangeville is the favorite," Buvid said. "If we go that far and play them in the championship game, we will certainly have our hands full."
Monroe is working to develop pitchers Meghan Roberts and Jessica Beckman. Roberts and Beckman are replacing Renee Schuttler and Carlie Olsen who dominated in the spring for the Cheesemakers.
"They are working hard and closing that gap," Buvid said. "We are looking at this tournament where we can identify some players who can help us on the varsity level a year from now."
