Softball team learning the ropes
Carrie Pichler
MAC pitcher Courtney Charlo will be stepping up in the circle this year after “living in the shadow of the big all-staters,” according to Coach Susan Weaselhead.
Carrie Pichler
MAC Lady Bulldog Mikaylan Roylance
Carrie Pichler
MAC players come in for a conference with their coach mid-inning.
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After losing five starting seniors last year, Mission-Arlee-Charlo softball, better known as MAC, is in a building season. Although the team still holds on to three seniors, “young” is an understatement. The majority of the roster consists of sophomores — six, to be exact. Head coach Susan Weaselhead knows it’s going to take some work, but in the end the hard work will pay off.
“We have some things to work on but we’re looking good,” Weaselhead said. “The girls are coming along.”
Of her three seniors, Weaselhead had good things to say about the girls stepping up and doing their job. In the circle for the Lady Bulldogs is Courtney Charlo who Weaselhead said “had been living in the shadow of the big all-staters” the last couple of years. “She’s working on a few things but she is going to be a force,” Weaselhead said about her new starting pitcher.
Alyssa Doty is also making quite an impression both on and off the diamond. “She’s rock solid both offensively and defensively,” said Weaselhead.
Rounding out the seniors is Connor Smith, who Weaselhead said shows great leadership. “All three are softball savvy,” Weaselhead said. “Their experience will help the team.”
Thursday the Lady Bulldogs hosted Deer Lodge, and thanks to four runs in the sixth and a walk off single by Alyssa Doty in the seventh to score Jordyn Eichert, the Lady Bulldogs came away with a first game 8-7 win. Charlo went the distance in the circle and to pick up the win. Doty started out strong, going 3-5 with a pair of RBIs.
“It was a good game for them,” Weaselhead said. “They really pulled it out.”
Things were on the grim side for the MAC softball club on Saturday as they fell to the Ronan Maidens, 7-16. Plagued by errors, the Lady Bulldogs had a tough time keeping the Maidens from crossing home plate, resulting in extra work for their pitchers.
Charlo started in the circle and logged the loss with Mikaylan Roylance taking over in the third. Despite the loss, the Lady Bulldogs had fiery bats at the plate led by Roylance’s 3-4 performance. Jaycee Anderson and Eichert each went 2-3 with Eichert launching a double. Catcher Alyssa Doty smacked one over the fence, crushing a home run for MAC.
Though the team is young and the girls are still learning their roles, Weaselhead remains optimistic about the upcoming season. “The girls are looking forward positively,” she said. “We are learning to shake things off – our sights are set high.”
MAC will road trip it to Thompson Falls April 10 and then return to host a double-header against Whitefish April 11. Monday, April 14, marks another travel day for the Lady Bulldogs as they head down to Missoula to take on Loyola-Sacred Heart.
Results
MAC 0 1 2 0 0 4 1 – 8
Deer Lodge 0 0 5 0 00 2 – 7
Mikaylan Roylance 2-4, Jordyn Eichert 2-5, Connor Smith 1-4, Doty 3-5, Morgan Malatare 2-4, Courtney Charlo 1-4, Shania Dubois 2-4, Jaycee Anderson 0-3, McKenzie Couture 0-1, Ran’Dee Charlo 0-1, Alyssa Sorrell 0-1.
3B – Roylance.
MAC 0 0 1 0 5 1 0 -7
Ronan 0 0 6 3 2 2 3 - 16
Mikaylan Roylance 3-4, Jordyn Eichert 2-3, Connor Smith 1-3, Alyssa Doty 2-4, Morgan Malatare 0-3, Courtney Charlo 0-4, Shania Dubois 1-3, Jaycee Anderson 2-3, McKenzie Couture 0-1, Alyssa Sorrell 0-1, Ran’Dee Charlo 0-1.
2B – Eichert. HR – Doty.
