MAC looks for consistency

ST. IGNATIUS - The Mission-Arlee-Charlo softball team is one that feeds off each other, a point that was evident in its two games last week.

When one member lights the spark at the plate, the whole team seems to follow, head coach Susan Weaselhead said.

"We got a few on base and were able to steal," she said. "That motivated the others."

Against Troy last Thursday, the Bulldogs had a couple runners reach the base paths and the floodgates opened as MAC scored three runs in the 5-1 win. Freshman Sara Nerby was the first to knock in a run.

"I think it went alright," Weaselhead said. "Our girls had a hard time with their pitcher. They are used to faster pitchers."

Once the Bulldogs got their bats going, things went smoothly in the field as well as MAC committed no errors.

Senior Dalena Weaselhead and senior Jasmine Gilleard each earned two hits with one being a double.

Junior Kyla Olson struck out 13 on the mound.

Two days later, the opposite happened for the Bulldogs. Not a single player was able to get a rally started in the 7-2 loss.

"We played tough," Weaselhead said. "I don't know why the girls didn't get the hits."

MAC scored two runs on two hits while making seven errors in the field resulting in a couple Loyola runs. Hits came from sophomore Kinley Pope with a double and sophomore Serena Long.

Weaselhead said the team went out to crush the ball instead of for base hits.

"We just didn't have the spark to get going," she said.

MAC faces Deer Lodge tomorrow night before having some time off.

Weaselhead said she was confident the Bulldogs would find their rhythm.

"We have four days to prepare," she said. "I think we will be ready."