Monarchs Set to Take On Lima in Game One of the Playoffs

The first game in a three-game playoff series will begin at 7:05 PM at Hillsdale College.

Hillsdale College’s Hill Stadium—The Michigan Monarchs will open the playoffs against Lima Locos tomorrow, Tuesday 29 July at 7:05 PM.

The Monarchs clinched the playoffs last week despite dropping two close games to the Locos, 12-11 and 5-4.

Now they will face the same team in a best-of-three series.

Game one was originally scheduled for today, Monday, 28 July at Lima, but was rained out. The Monarchs will now host Lima for game one as the two teams’ aces go head to head to start the playoff series.

Starting for Michigan is Matthew Hubbard, a rising sophomore from the University of Toledo. Hubbard has a 3.41 earned run average on the season, with 31 strikeouts across 34.1 innings pitched.

The Locos will likely start their ace, Anderson Hayes, a rising junior at Notre Dame who finished the regular season with a 1.93 earned run average.

Games two and, if necessary, three, will be played at Lima.

Lima finished the season first in the North Division with a 27-12 record.

The Monarchs, whose roster has been partially depleted by injuries and attrition, finished 21-19, just ahead of the Muskegon Clippers.

With a thin squad, Monarchs General Manager Jim DeSana said that defeating the league best Locos is a “tall order,” but expressed confidence that his team was up to the task.¹

On the other side of the bracket are the Xenia Scouts and the Hamilton Joes, the winner of which will advance to the championship.

Jacob Bruns

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Michigan Monarchs Baseball Team Moves to Hillsdale

1. DeSana requested that the following job posting for Monarchs General Manager for 2026 be listed as well:

Our GM will fulfill a management role and oversee these activities:

-Game Day Management.

-4:30pm to 10pm (Approximately 5-1/2 hours on home game days.)

-21 Home Games

-Manage the press box

-PA Announcer

-Statistician

-Broadcaster

-Scoreboard operator

-Admission gate

-Concession (drinks)

-prepare medical ice

-Manage trainer station.

-Secure and pick up the visiting team’s post game meals (and make sure it is delivered to the team bus).

-Pay the umpires.

Compensation:

-$20 per hour ($2520)

-$100 per Week for Gas ($800)

-$3320 Total

$1000 Bonus available for fundraising goals.