COCOA, Fla. – The Macomb softball team earned a pair of thrilling wins at the Space Coast Games on Tuesday (March 10), defeating Minnesota North College-Itasca, 8-0, in five innings before taking down Prairie State College, 10-3, in the nightcap. The Monarchs move to 3-1 on the young season and have won three straight following their season-opening loss. 

GAME ONE: Macomb 8, Minnesota North-Itasca 0 (5 inn.)
The Monarchs struck first against the Vikings with three runs in the bottom of the second. The score remained until the bottom of the fifth when the Monarchs posted a five-run frame that resulted in an 8-0 run-rule victory.

After a run came in to make it 4-0, the Monarchs loaded the bases to set the stage for Gabby Gajewski, and the freshman from Fraser delivered with a pinch hit, walk-off grand slam. Gajewski's blast was the first of her collegiate career and the first for the Monarchs this season.

Riley McLaughlin hit a pair of doubles and drove in a run as part of a 2-for-3 performance, while Alexa Garofalo joined McLaughlin with a multi-hit game of her own after going 2-for-3 at the plate. Ryleigh Davis was 1-for-3 with a RBI and Jacqueline Asmar was 1-for-2 with a stolen base and a run scored.

Ariana Wlodeck earned the win in the circle after throwing 3.1 innings with five strikeouts in the run-rule affair. Madalyn Roberson pitched the final 1.2 innings and struck out three. 

GAME TWO: Macomb 10, Prairie State 3
For the second time in as many days, the Monarchs earned a victory over the Pioneers, this time by a 10-3 final score. Trailing 3-1 through four innings, the Monarchs scored four runs in the fifth and five more in the seventh to win the game going away. 

McLaughlin had another big game offensively, going 2-for-4 with three RBIs. Kailey Viviano connected on a pair of doubles to go 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored, while Aubrey Rich led the team with a 3-for-3 nightcap that included a sacrifice fly, a stolen base, a RBI and two runs scored. Allison Wineski went 1-for-4 with two RBIs on a clutch hit late and Garofalo went 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored.

Mackenzie Sawicki earned the win in her first collegiate start after going four strong with a pair of strikeouts. Roberson came in to work the final 2.2 innings and was effective for the second time on the day.

UP NEXT
The Monarchs continue action in Florida on Wednesday (March 10) with their two most difficult contests at the Space Coast Games. The Monarchs open Wednesday opposite Iowa Central Community College at 2:30 p.m. before wrapping up their day against Bryant & Stratton College (Wis.) at 4:45 p.m. Iowa Central enters tomorrow's tilt receiving votes in the latest NJCAA Division II poll.