Softball: The 'mazing MAC family
<p>Sara Nerby is cheered on by her teammates as she completes a rare inside-the-park home run against Loyola on Friday.</p>
ST. IGNATIUS — It’s hard not to get excited about the MAC softball team after it improved its record to 6-0 on the season. Especially after its sixth win came over a Class A squad.
“The girls have worked hard and stayed focused in every game so far this season,” MAC head coach Susan Weaselhead said.
ST. IGNATIUS — It’s hard not to get excited about the MAC softball team after it improved its record to 6-0 on the season. Especially after its sixth win came over a Class A squad.
“The girls have worked hard and stayed focused in every game so far this season,” MAC head coach Susan Weaselhead said.
The hard-hitting Lady Bulldogs trounced Class A Corvallis on Saturday thanks to the bat of Sahriha Camacho. Camacho hit a three-run homer and helped spark a five-run rally in the first inning en route to a 6-1 victory.
After MAC’s strong start, its defense took over and behind the pitching of starter Loren Erickson, the Lady Bulldogs allowed just two hits by their opponent.
“Corvallis looked pretty sharp after we came out in that first inning but our defense tightened up and played well,” Weaselhead said.
MAC shortstop Kinley Pope had a solo home run in the fifth inning and finished the day 3-for-3 at the plate. Catcher Alyssa Doty drove in a run during MAC’s opening inning scoring.
MAC 12, LOYOLA 0
On Friday, MAC got 11 runs in the first two innings and cruised to a 12-0 victory over conference opponent Loyola Sacred Heart. The hit train really continued to roll for the Lady Bulldogs, who have score double-digit run totals in four of their six games this season.
Against Loyola, MAC got multi-hit games from Erickson, Doty and Camacho.
The Bulldogs were on the board with the first batter of the game. Sara Nerby hit an inside-the-park home run and that sparked a four-run, five-hit rally by the Lady Bulldogs.
In the second, things got worse for Loyola as MAC notched six hits and scored seven runs to take the 11-0 lead. They scored once again in the bottom of the third, and Erickson continued to blank the Breakers. The MAC pitcher scattered seven hits and struck out one.
“With Loren, she’s putting the ball in a variety of places,” Weaselhead said. “When they make contact with the ball it’s in the infield or it’s a bloop to the outfield.”
Erickson, Pope and Emilie Charlo all had doubles in the game, while Camacho and Janeal McDonald both went 2-for-2 and drove in two runs.
“Loyola has been a rival for years and a tough team to beat,” Weaselhead said.
MAC 7, RONAN 6
Needing the winning run to get a second win over Mission Valley rival Ronan, MAC got textbook performances from two players for the 7-6 victory last Tuesday in St. Ignatius.
In the bottom of the sixth, Nerby got a bunt single, stole second and then Erickson fouled off a handful of pitches before notching the game-winning hit.
It was her one hit of the game. Nerby finished the game 3-for-4. The Lady Bulldogs then shut down their rival in the top of the seventh for the win.
MAC got eight hits, and it wasn’t easy with Ronan firethrower Bethany Colman on the mound. Weaselhead was pleased with her team’s ability at the plate and the play out in the field.
“We were down in the game and the girls picked it up,” Weaselhead said. “We had some hits at crucial times and we ran the bases pretty well. I think our defense did really well and they stayed in the game.”
Camacho drove in two runs while McDonald and Pope had an RBI a piece. Weaselhead was very appreciative of her team’s defense over three games. She specifically complemented Nerby, Camacho and Pope’s SportsCenter-worthy defense.
“Catcher Alyssa Doty has been very tight behind the plate too,” Weaselhead said. “She’s performed well.”
In six games, the Lady Bulldogs have committed just 10 errors and have a .935 fielding percentage.
After playing a doubleheader against Florence on Tuesday (results not available at print time), MAC will host a doubleheader against Drummond on Friday. Then on Saturday, they’ll travel up to Troy.
“We only have one more home game and in the second half of the season it’s definitely a lot of travel, but it’s been nice to be at home,” Weaselhead said.
MAC 7, RONAN 6
RONAN - 6
MAC - 7
Ronan - 11 hits. MAC - 8 hits
Lady Bulldogs batting - Sara Nerby 3-4, Loren Erickson 1-4, Alyssa Doty 0-1, Kinley Pope 1-3, Janeal McDonald 1-3, Serena Long 1-3, Sahriha Camacho 1-3, Connor Smith 0-2, Emilie Charlo 0-1, Emyli Gillingham 0-3. RBIs - Sahriha 2; McDonald, Pope, Erickson.
LB Pitching - Loren Erickson gets win
MAC 12, LOYOLA 0
L - 000 - 00 - 0
M - 471 - 0x - 12
Loyola - 7 hits, 3 errors. MAC - 13 hits, 1 error
Lady Bulldogs batting - Sara Nerby 1-2, Loren Erickson 3-3, Alyssa Doty 2-3, Kinley Pope 1-2, Janeal McDonald 2-2, Serena Long 0-3, Sahriha Camacho 2-2, Emyli Gillingham 1-2, Trinda Foust 0-1, Emilie Charlo 1-3.
Doubles - Erickson, Pope, Charlo. HR - Nerby. RBIs - Nerby, Doty, McDonald 2, Camacho 2, Pope 2, Charlo, Erickson.
LB Pitching - Erickson (CG, 7 hits, 1K, OBB)
MAC 6, CORV. 1
C - 001 - 000 - 0 - 1
M - 500 - 010 - x - 6
Corvallis - 2 hits, 1 error. MAC - 7 hits, 3 errors
Lady Bulldogs batting - Sara Nerby 1-3, Erickson 0-3, Alyssa Doty 1-3, Kinley Pope 3-3, Janeal McDonald 0-3, Serena Long 0-2, Sahriha Camacho 1-2, Trinda Foust 0-3, Emilie Charlo 1-2. Doubles - Doty.
HR - Pope. RBIs - Doty, Pope 2, Camacho 3
LB Pitching - Erickson (CG, 2 hits, 1BB)