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Roundup of Monroe County Region softball teams in District tournaments
Roundup of Monroe County Region softball teams in district tournaments
Niles Kruger, The Monroe NewsSun, May 31, 2026·4 min readOne ball went to the gap in right-centerfield.
The other even deeper into left-centerfield.
Both seemed destined to be big hits for Bedford’s softball team.
Instead, they turned out to be nothing but loud outs that fell into the glove of Gibraltar Carlson centerfielder Addison Burgei.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMore: Roundup of Monroe County Region baseball teams in district tournaments
More: Updated state tourney pairings for baseball, softball and girls soccer
“She’s really good,” Carlson coach Jason Gyolai said.
The freshman was the spark to lift the Marauders in the championship of the Division 1 District at Monroe.
Carlson was joined as a district champion by Airport (Division 2), Milan (Division 2) and Whiteford (Division 3) on Saturday, May 30.
Division 1 at Monroe
Carlson started hot with home runs by Lauren Dunwoody and Kiley Lewandowski in the opening inning of its 16-5 semifinal win over Woodhaven.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Marauders never lost momentum all day.
“The girls have been building to this day all year,” Gyolai said. “it’s been fun.”
Dunwoody, Lewandowski and Kennedy Warren finished with three hits piece in the semis. Addison Skinner added a pair of hits.
Skinner earned the pitching win and homered during a 10-4 conquest of Bedford in the final. Averie Gendron went 4-for-4, Skinner logged three hits and Lewandowski and Warren two each.
“The girls really swung the bats well,” Gyolai said.
“The Carlson pitcher throws well,” Bedford coach Marla Gooding said. “They are a good team.”
Bedford finishes 25-13.
“I am really proud of them,” Gooding said. “We are so young. We only have two seniors.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBedford trailed Monroe 8-0 after two innings of the semifinal, but roared back for an 11-10 victory.
“We jumped out on them quick,” Monroe coach Mickey Moody said.
Monroe ends 18-16.
“It was an up-and-down season,” Moody said. “We had a lot of positives.”
Division 2 at Airport
Airport demolished Huron League foes Jefferson (16-0) and Flat Rock (18-3) to capture its fourth consecutive district title.
“Our girls are very focused and all in right now,” Airport coach Jess Irwin said. “Every girl at the plate today found a way to contribute. It is impressive to collect 38 hits in 9 innings, I don’t care who you are playing against.
“Our pitchers are all throwing very well and when their numbers are called they are giving us great innings.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBrooklyn Martin belted a home run among three hits against Jefferson and tossed a 2-hitter.
Brityn Duffy and Jillian Baker joined Martin in the three-hit club while Olivia Tilley, Brenna Baker, and Kennady Kroll ended with two each.
Julia Dyson and Brooklyn Martin combined on a 4-hitter against Flat Rock. Peyton Zajac, Martin, and Tilley all had a trio of hits.
Flat Rock reached the finals with a 10-1 win over New Boston Huron.
Division 2 at Dundee
Milan has a lot of proven hitters in its lineup, but the offense has been sporadic.
The Big Reds (14-12) put it all together for the start of the state tournament. They opened by pulling out a 2-1 win over Tecumseh, then crushed Adrian 19-0 in the final.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“It’s been quite a journey the last couple of weeks,” first-year coach Micah Higa said. “We’ve struggled at the plate, but we really talked about making adjustments.”
Kenzie Chrysler tossed a 3-hitter against Tecumseh.
The Big Reds gave up an early run, Reese Knox drove in the tying run and aggressive base running produced the second run.
Catcher Aryana Bowden led an errorless defensive game.
Kendyll Fell tossed a 1-hitter with 10 strikeouts in the second game.
Knox led the offense with four hits and three stolen bases. Chrysler, Charleigh Meggison and Georgia Linzell had two hits and Kaylin Brown, Virginia Heikka and Mya Vance all doubled home runs.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“From the circle to the defense to the lineup top-to-bottom, it was a true team effort,” Higa said.
Division 3 at Whiteford
Peyton Welch gave up just one run and struck out 22 in two games to power Whiteford to a district title on its home field.
“"Welch didn't walk a batter today,” Whiteford coach Matt VanBrandt said. “She didn't hit a batter today. Her command was outstanding and she just kept pounding the zone."
Welch doubled as part of a 2-for-2 game in the opener. Bailey Spradling rang up three hits and Addeson Cousino drove in three with a double and a single.
Ava Butz broke a scoreless tie with a single in the second inning and Ava Stevens doubled and scored on a hit by Spradling in the sixth.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“This is a scrappy bunch,” VanBrandt said. “We're not mashers, but we can put the ball in play and make you play defense. Our bench also worked overtime today - with the most positive energy we have had all season. We had 16 players all pushing in the same direction and we needed them all.”
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Gibraltar Carlson, Airport, Milan, Whiteford crowned softball champs
Story byThe Monroe News