BRANSON, Mo. — Milwaukee Area Technical College opened its 2026 season at the Branson JUCO Jam over the weekend, using five games against a mix of experienced opponents as a valuable early checkpoint while the Stormers finally transitioned from indoor work to live competition. The event marked MATC's first outdoor action of the spring and provided a much‑needed runway for a young roster settling into game speed.

After weeks of weather‑bound preparation, the Stormers welcomed the chance to get live at‑bats, test defensive alignments and build early chemistry across the lineup. Even in a demanding three‑day stretch, MATC treated the weekend as an opportunity to gather meaningful reps, evaluate early combinations and lay the groundwork for the weeks ahead.

"We appreciated the opportunity to challenge our team and play quality competition," MATC head softball coach Joe Kuntner said. "This was a chance to get live reps and see what our team can do. We still have a lot to accomplish and are looking forward to playing our Region 4 opponents."

MATC faced a demanding slate throughout the weekend, opening with an 11–3 setback to Iowa Western on Friday before returning Saturday for losses to Parkland (18–2) and Labette (11–3), each shortened to five innings. The Stormers closed the event with two more run‑rule defeats on Sunday, falling 10–1 to Three Rivers and 11–3 to Neosho County as the lineup continued to stack its first live‑game reps of the spring.

Game 1: Iowa Western 11, Stormers 3 (5 innings)

• MATC opened its season with a three‑run first inning, sparked by Ellie Brzek's two‑run homer and an RBI single from Mia Carani
• Iowa Western was held to one run through the first three innings before erupting for 10 runs in the fourth to take control
• The Stormers totaled three hits — a double from Emma
• Roeper, Carani's RBI single, and Brzek's home run Roeper, Carani and Brzek each scored once, accounting for all three MATC runs
• Chloe Lago worked the first 2.0 innings, allowing one run on one hit with one strikeout and two walks
• Ellie Brzek took the loss in relief, giving up 5 runs on 2 hits and 4 walks in her inning of work
• Brooke Peters followed for 0.2 innings, allowing 5 runs on 6 hits, before Amira Baldon recorded the final out with 0.1 scoreless

Game 2: Parkland 18, Stormers 2 (5 innings)

• Parkland jumped out quickly with three runs in the first and added back‑to‑back six‑run frames in the second and third to build an early lead
• MATC broke through in the fourth with two runs, including an RBI double from Maiya Tearney and a sacrifice fly by Caia Lund
• The Stormers totaled five hits, led by Mia Carani's two‑hit, one‑run performance, while Emma Roeper, Tearney and Jayden Moss each added a hit Carani reached base three times (two hits, one walk), the most of any Stormer in the game
• Nevaeh Folk started and allowed 6 runs on 3 hits and 4 walks over 1.0 inning
• Maiya Tearney took the loss in relief, giving up 8 runs (7 earned) on 7 hits and 4 walks in 1.1 innings

Game 3: Labette 11, Stormers 3 (5 innings)

• MATC struck first with a run in the opening inning, as Rylyn Paulick reached and later scored to give the Stormers an early 1–0 lead
• Labette answered with three runs in the first and added scoring in every inning they batted, including a four‑run third and three‑run fourth
• The Stormers produced six hits, highlighted by multi‑hit games from Mia Carani (2-for-3) and Maiya Tearney (2-for-3, 2 RBI)
• Alyssa Pavlovich added an RBI in the third, while Paulick scored twice and Emma Roeper crossed the plate once
• Ellie Brzek took the loss, working 4.0 innings and allowing 11 runs (4 earned) on seven hits with one strikeout and four walks
• Chloe Lago delivered a strong relief outing, throwing 1.0 scoreless inning without allowing a hit or walk
• MATC stole a base (Ava D'Acquisto) but committed six errors, extending several Labette innings

Game 4: Three Rivers 10, Stormers 1 (5 innings)

• Three Rivers opened with a four‑run first inning and added runs in the third, fourth and fifth to maintain steady pressure throughout
• MATC pushed across its lone run in the fifth when Jayden Moss delivered an RBI single to score Rylyn Paulick, who had reached on one of her two singles
• The Stormers totaled eight hits, led by Paulick's 2-for-3 day, while Zoey Murph also turned in a multi‑hit performance (2-for-2)
• Emma Roeper, Maiya Tearney, Alyssa Pavlovich, and Moss each added a hit as MATC matched Three Rivers in total hits despite the scoreline
• Amira Baldon took the loss, working 4.1 innings and allowing 10 runs (5 earned) on 10 hits with two strikeouts
• Chloe Lago closed the final 0.2 innings with no hits and one strikeout
• Paulick added a stolen base, but the Stormers were hurt by six defensive errors, which extended multiple Three Rivers innings

Game 5: Neosho County 11, Stormers 3 (5 innings)

• MATC opened strong with a three‑run first inning, highlighted by Amira Baldon's three‑run homer, her first of the season
• Neosho County responded with a nine‑run third inning, then added two more in the fourth to take control
• The Stormers recorded two hits — a single from Emma Roeper and Baldon's home run
• Chloe Lago started and took the loss, working 2.0 innings and allowing 4 runs on 4 hits with two strikeouts and three walks
• Maiya Tearney threw the final 2.0 innings, giving up 7 runs (4 earned) on nine hits
• MATC committed two errors, both charged to Emily Pujanauski, while Neosho County played error‑free defense

UP NEXT
MATC (0-5) returns to action at the MATC Invitational in Des Plaines, Ill., opening Friday with a 9 a.m. matchup against Harper College before facing Oakton at 11 a.m. The Stormers continue play Saturday with a 1 p.m. game against Highland, then close the weekend Sunday with a pair of contests against Sauk Valley at 9 a.m. and Kishwaukee at 11 a.m.