MAC drops opener, looks for redemption in Troy this weekend
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ST. IGNATIUS – Playing at home for the first time this season, Mission-Arlee-Charlo (MAC) Bulldogs hosted their home opener against Loyola Breakers on Saturday afternoon. Unfortunately, the Bulldogs fell to Loyola 12-2.
Starting in the circle for MAC was Tomi Brazill, who had just picked up 16-9 and 6-5 doubleheader victories against Eureka on Friday.
In the top of the third inning, Loyola loaded the bases with two outs, but a diving catch for the final out of the inning made by Bulldogs’ Frankie Smith on a Breakers’ line-drive kept the game score tied 0-0.
It took all the way until the top of the fifth inning for the scoring to begin for either team. Breakers’ pitcher Kayla Hickethier started the scoring by clobbering a three-run homer over the left field fence.
The scoring momentum continued in the sixth inning for Loyola. The Breakers increased the lead to 9-0 by adding six more runs on ten hits.
During the inning the Bulldogs made a pitching change, putting Shyanne Reum in for Brazill. Brazill pitched for five and one-third innings, allowing nine runs, while striking out four and walking one.
“Tomi did well on the mound, despite the hits Loyola was able to get, she is improving daily,” MAC head coach Susan Weaselhead said.
In the MAC bottom of the sixth inning, Smith opened the inning with a triple followed by a Taylor Olsen walk. Two batters later, both scored off a single by Sierra Hutchin to make it 9-2.
Hickethier, who had already homered in the fifth for Loyola, tacked on more runs in the seventh with another three-run shot out of the park.
The Breakers went on to spoil the Bulldogs’ home opener with a 12-2 victory.
Reum finished the game for the Bulldogs with two strikeouts, six hits and three earned runs.
“Overall, I feel my girls are improving every game,” Weaselhead said. “There are number of things that we’re going to continue to work on fielding and batting, however, the girls are working hard to get where they need to be.”
The Bulldogs return to the field Friday, April 20 when they travel to the Troy. The first pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. MAC returns to home Saturday, May 5 when they host Deer Lodge. The first pitch for that game is scheduled for 4 p.m.
