WHITEWATER - The Monroe softball team could be the envy of other schools with two pitchers who could be aces for most teams.
The Cheesemakers earned a chance to play in a WIAA Division 2 sectional title game by shutting out Jefferson, 8-0, at Whitewater High School on Thursday. Monroe seniors Renee Schuttler and Carlie Olsen combined on a two-hit shutout.
Monroe coach Dale Buvid knows he is in an enviable position with two pitchers who are proven double trouble for opponents.
"That is always a luxury to have," Buvid said.
Renee Schuttler pitched four innings and struck out six to get the win. Olsen was just as dominating and impressive. Olsen pitched three perfect shutout innings in relief in picking up the save.
The Cheesemakers earned their third state tournament appearance since 2003. The Cheesemakers were the state runner-up in 2004 and state champions in 2003.
"Like Coach Buvid said, 'There is nothing like going to state in high school,' " Olsen said.
Olsen wasn't concerned about trying to protect a 3-0 Cheesemakers' lead when she came in to start the fifth inning.
"I had some cushion," Olsen said. "I wasn't too nervous. I didn't get too worried. We have a good defense behind us."
The Cheesemakers have two No. 1 pitchers in Jefferson coach Mike Mooney's eyes.
"To be honest, you couldn't tell the difference between the two. Any team would certainly love to have either one of them."
The Cheesemakers got on the board in the third. Maggie Schuttler and Emily Rufenacht both singled with one out. Renee Schuttler then reached on an error to load the bases. Monroe senior Kylie Kaiser, who was 3-for-3 with three RBI, walked to give the Cheesemakers' a 1-0 lead.
After the Cheesemakers stranded five runners in the first three innings, the offense came around.
"These girls have been through big games before," Buvid said. "They are still human beings. You still get a little tight.
Monroe scored two runs in the fourth on senior Hannah Grossen's RBI-single up the middle and an RBI-groundout by Maggie Schuttler.
Monroe senior Katie Lenz crushed a two-out RBI-triple to left in the fifth to seize a 5-0 lead. Kaiser ripped a two-run double in the sixth to give the Cheesemakers an 8-0 bulge.
The other Cheesemakers with multi-hit games include Rufenacht (2-for-3) and Kayla Rackow (2-for-4).
The Cheesemakers earned a chance to play in a WIAA Division 2 sectional title game by shutting out Jefferson, 8-0, at Whitewater High School on Thursday. Monroe seniors Renee Schuttler and Carlie Olsen combined on a two-hit shutout.
Monroe coach Dale Buvid knows he is in an enviable position with two pitchers who are proven double trouble for opponents.
"That is always a luxury to have," Buvid said.
Renee Schuttler pitched four innings and struck out six to get the win. Olsen was just as dominating and impressive. Olsen pitched three perfect shutout innings in relief in picking up the save.
The Cheesemakers earned their third state tournament appearance since 2003. The Cheesemakers were the state runner-up in 2004 and state champions in 2003.
"Like Coach Buvid said, 'There is nothing like going to state in high school,' " Olsen said.
Olsen wasn't concerned about trying to protect a 3-0 Cheesemakers' lead when she came in to start the fifth inning.
"I had some cushion," Olsen said. "I wasn't too nervous. I didn't get too worried. We have a good defense behind us."
The Cheesemakers have two No. 1 pitchers in Jefferson coach Mike Mooney's eyes.
"To be honest, you couldn't tell the difference between the two. Any team would certainly love to have either one of them."
The Cheesemakers got on the board in the third. Maggie Schuttler and Emily Rufenacht both singled with one out. Renee Schuttler then reached on an error to load the bases. Monroe senior Kylie Kaiser, who was 3-for-3 with three RBI, walked to give the Cheesemakers' a 1-0 lead.
After the Cheesemakers stranded five runners in the first three innings, the offense came around.
"These girls have been through big games before," Buvid said. "They are still human beings. You still get a little tight.
Monroe scored two runs in the fourth on senior Hannah Grossen's RBI-single up the middle and an RBI-groundout by Maggie Schuttler.
Monroe senior Katie Lenz crushed a two-out RBI-triple to left in the fifth to seize a 5-0 lead. Kaiser ripped a two-run double in the sixth to give the Cheesemakers an 8-0 bulge.
The other Cheesemakers with multi-hit games include Rufenacht (2-for-3) and Kayla Rackow (2-for-4).
