WARREN, Mich. – It's that time of year again! The 2026 edition of Macomb Softball gets underway Monday (March 9) in the Sunshine State as the Monarchs return to the Space Coast Games in Cocoa, Fla., for the fourth consecutive year. With a reloaded roster, the Monarchs are poised for a bounce back season in 2026.
2025 Review
The Monarchs finished the 2025 campaign with an 18-25 record overall and a 14-16 mark in MCCAA Eastern Conference play. The season was injury-riddled, but produced several bright spots, including the program's latest postseason trip where the Monarchs secured a Great Lakes District A Tournament win over Edison State.
Coaching Staff
Head coach
Jim Beard is back for year 10 leading the program in 2026. In nine seasons at the helm, Beard has amassed 182 wins, including back-to-back-to-back 20-plus win seasons in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Beard and the Monarchs made a NJCAA Division II World Series appearance in 2024 after capturing the Great Lakes District A Championship as part of a 31-15 campaign.
Brynn Beyer, a former All-Conference standout during her time with the Monarchs, is the lone returning assistant coach, while the addition of
Gary Wodowski bolstered the staff in the fall.
Schedule Overview
The Monarchs will begin a stretch of 10 games in five days at the Space Coast Complex in Cocoa, Fla., on Monday (March 9) against Lake Michigan College at 10 a.m. The Monarchs will look to begin the 2026 campaign by avenging a pair of 2025 playoff losses to the Red Hawks.
The Florida slate is challenging throughout as a pair of games opposite perennial power Bryant & Stratton College (Wis.) await, as well as one game each against Iowa Central Community College and Monroe University (N.Y.). Iowa Central is currently receiving votes in the latest NJCAA Division II Rankings.
The home opener is set for March 20, a MCCAA Eastern Conference doubleheader against Schoolcraft College. First pitch on March 20 is 3 p.m. with live stream coverage available on
MacombMonarchs.com/Watch.
For the complete schedule, visit:
https://macombmonarchs.com/sports/softball/schedule
Watch the Monarchs at the Space Coast Games March 9-13
Note: a subscription is required to watch. Watch all games on
ussaa.com/live.
Returning All-Conference Honorees
Alexa Garofalo leads a cast of four returning Monarchs who earned postseason honors a season ago. Despite seeing her season cut short due to injury, Garofalo earned Second Team All-Conference honors, while
Riley McLaughlin,
Aubrey Rich and
Kailey Viviano were all named All-Conference Honorable Mention.
Returning Statistical Leaders
Garofalo hit .394 last season with five home runs, seven doubles and 26 RBIs to lead all returning Monarchs. McLaughlin hit .372 in 2025 and drove in 19 runs, while Rich followed at .351 with nine doubles and a pair of home runs. Viviano paced all Monarchs in the power department last season, belting 13 home runs.
Madalyn Roberson posted eight wins and a 4.12 ERA in the circle last season for the Monarchs.
Other key returners include
Savanna Smith,
Allison Wineski,
Alexa Yaklin and
Zoe Hunt.
Talented Newcomers
A deep and talented class of newcomers will have an immediate impact for Beard and the Monarchs this season. Of the newcomers,
Ryleigh Davis enjoyed an impressive fall campaign and is joined in a Monarch uniform this season by fellow new faces:
Jacqueline Asmar,
Samantha Consiglio,
Carissa Dossin,
Ava Ernest,
Iris Everett,
Gabby Gajewski,
Maddie McKee,
Mackenzie Sawicki,
Ariana Wlodeck and
Addison Wodowski.
Follow the Monarchs
Fans can follow Macomb Softball throughout the season via the following:
- MacombMonarchs.com (schedule, stats, news and more)
- Twitter/X (any live stream links will be posted here) and Instagram - @MacombSoftball
- GameChanger (live stats – no video / where service/data is available)
