WATERFORD TWP, Mich. – The conference-opening doubleheader at OCC was unkind to the Monarchs as the host Raiders swept the day by scores of 7-4 and 9-1. The pair of losses sends the Monarchs to 6-8 overall and 0-2 in MCCAA Eastern Conference action. The Raiders improved to 5-9 overall and 2-0 in the MCCAA East with two wins Tuesday.
After falling behind 6-0 in the first inning in game one, the Monarchs battled throughout but ultimately couldn't overcome the early deficit in the 7-4 setback. The Monarchs recorded 13 hits in the opener behind a balanced cast of bats.
Savanna Clark (St. Clair, Mich./St. Clair) posted a career-high three hits to lead the Monarchs, while
Brynn Beyer (Macomb, Mich./L'Anse Creuse North),
Danielle Erickson (Sterling Heights, Mich./Sterling Heights) and
Samantha Scott (Romeo, Mich./Eisenhower) followed with two hits each. Beyer recorded the lone extra-base hit of the game for the Monarchs, a seventh inning double to left field.
Four different Monarchs drove in a run apiece as Beyer, Scott,
Carleigh Bilpo (Sterling Heights, Mich./Henry Ford II) and
Elizabeth Townsend (New Baltimore, Mich./Anchor Bay) all recorded an RBI in the opener.
Katelynn Fraser (Macomb, Mich./Eisenhower) came on to toss 5 1/3 innings of one run ball in game one and struck out two to keep the Monarchs within striking distance in the 7-4 setback.
In game two,
Brynn Beyer hit her first collegiate home run and
Rylee Thomas (Harrison Twp., Mich./L'Anse Creuse) hit a double in an otherwise tough nightcap.
The 2023 home opener is Friday (March 24) against Schoolcraft. The doubleheader begins at 3 p.m. on Macomb's South Campus.
