NORTHVILLE – Macomb Softball ended the regular season on a high note with a 13-3 run-rule victory in game one and a 22-21 triumph in a wild game two over the host Ocelots of Schoolcraft College on Wednesday (May 7). The pair of wins lifted the Monarchs to 5-1 on the season against the Ocelots.

With both teams locked into their playoff spot, Wednesday's regular season finale acted as a final tune-up before the Great Lakes District A Tournament begins tomorrow (May 8) at Marysville City Park. The Monarchs open the double-elimination tournament against Lake Michigan College at 12 p.m. on Field #4 (one of two auxiliary fields at the facility).

With a win against Lake Michigan, the Monarchs would turn around to play the bracket's top-seeded team, Mott Community College, at 2 p.m. on the same field. A loss in the opener against Lake Michigan sends the Monarchs to the elimination bracket where they would play Friday at 2 p.m. on Field #4.

Tournament Website | Bracket

GAME ONE: Macomb 13, Schoolcraft 3 (6 inn.)
Savanna Smith was the definition of 'helping yourself out' as the freshman hit a grand slam via a 2-for-3 performance at the plate and picked up her first collegiate win in the circle after striking out eight batters across six strong innings of work. Smith only allowed three runs and outscored the opposition by herself thanks to her fifth-inning grand slam.

The Monarchs trailed 3-1 before posting a 9-run fifth inning and later tacking on three runs in the sixth in the run-rule victory.

Smith, Paige Muehlbrandt and Angelina Viviano led the 10-hit attack with two hits each, while Raegan Hemelberg and Allison Wineski each hit a triple to join Smith in the power department. Wineski's triple, coming in the 9-run fifth inning, drove in a pair of runs as the outfielder followed Smiths' 4-RBI output in the opening win.

GAME TWO: Macomb 22, Schoolcraft 21
In a game that was witness to position players pitching for both teams at every turn, the Monarchs prevailed after Riley McLaughlin was able to steady the ship late in the 22-21 high-octane affair. McLaughlin picked up her first collegiate win in her first appearance and went 3-for-3 at the plate with a double and a pair of RBIs.

Savanna Smith continued her strong day with a 6-RBI performance in game two on a double and a home run. Smith ended Wednesday's doubleheader with a team-best 10 RBIs on the day.

Raegan Hemelberg saw her on-base percentage jump after the freshman outfielder went 2-for-2 with a double and a triple and drew four walks. Aubrey Rich drove in two runs on a 2-for-4 game two that included a double, while Angelina Viviano recorded a 2-for-4 nightcap with an RBI.

Riley Lane stole four bases and came around to score three times to cap off the leaders from a thrilling regular season finale.

The Monarchs trailed 12-1 after two innings of play before striking for 10 in the third and pouring on 10 more over the final three innings in the 22-21 victory.