On the Saturday before Easter the Cabrini softball team traveled to Beaverton for their annual mid-season tournament. This mid-Michigan tournament hosts numerous ranked teams from both division 3 and 4 and has been a mainstay stop for the Monarchs since 2006. Among the teams that participated were Beaverton, Ithaca, Gladstone, Standish/Sterling, Reese, Byron, Frankenmuth and Unionville-Sebewaing Area (USA)

The first game pitted Cabrini against Standish. The Monarchs won by a score of 8-2.Sophomore Mackenzie Noah had another strong performance striking out 9 in a 5-inning game called due to time limit constraints. Junior Michaleigh Vallimont led the attack with a lead off home run among her 3 hits, 3 runs scored, and had 2 RBI. Her sister Freshman Lilly Vallimont, not willing to be out done also had 3 RBI. Her blast to center field had several parked cars and windshields in danger of being dented. Additionally, Sophomore Wyndhem Reid had 2 RBI and Junior Emma Delcotto drove in the eighth run.

In the second game, the Monarchs took on Reese, and a much tougher pitcher, but still prevailed, winning 2-1. Noah struck out 10 in a tightly contested game.  Both Cabrini runs were scored by Michaleigh Vallimont who was driven in both times by her sister Lilly Vallimont who also had 2 hits. Junior Caleigh Muglia had a big game as well with 3 hits, two of which were doubles.

Based on runs to face USA. USA, which is one of the premier softball programs in the thumb area, and Cabrini have a long rivalry going back over ten years, when both teams were state champs. The contests are always close, well played and well coached. This game fell right into the rivalry.

The Monarchs struck first in the first inning on a double by Michaeligh Vallimont a sacrifice bunt by Junior Mackenzie Schick and Vallimont scoring on a hard hit grounder by Junior Viviana Gonzalez that rattled the first baseman who dropped the throw from the shortstop. The lead didn't last long, however as USA tied the score in the second and added runs in the third an fourth inning to take a 3-1 lead.

The Monarchs came roaring back with runs in the fifth on a single by Michaleigh Vallimont,  a walk to Gonzalez and a single by Noah which loaded the bases. Muglia, who had those 3 hits in the previous game delivered a single driving in Vallimont and Gonzalez to tie the score.

The game ended up tied after seven innings and went to an international tie breaker with the eighth inning starting with a runner at second base.  USA capitalized with the leadoff hitter reaching on an error and followed that up with a 3-run homer, which seemingly out the game out of reach. But the Monarchs refused to roll over.

With Senior Madison Buerkle on second base to start the inning Delcotto moved her to third on a groundout to the pitcher. Michaleigh Vallimont came up, and on the first pitch lined a shot over the left field wall to put Cabrini within one. Schick was then called out on a very controversial play at first. Lilly Vallimont then grounded hard to short, beat the throw and continued onto third as the shortstop rushed the throw to first. Alas, the Monarchs rally ended on a fly out to the center fielder.

Overall, a good weekend for the Monarchs who enter the Easter break with a 14-3 record. They now host Divine Child on Tuesday and then hit the road to face Ann Arbor Fr. Gabriel Richard at Eastern Michigan University in league matches.