MAC, Ronan, Polson get big wins

MAC

The Mission-Arlee-Charlo Lady Bulldogs came from behind in dramatic fashion by pulling off three rallies from behind this past week, a pair of seventh inning rallies over Florence along with a previous 10-9 affair at Libby.

MAC tagged four taters in the top of the seventh, a solo dinger and a trio of two baggers, to rally past the Lady Falcons 17-12 in the opener of their crucial conference twinbill. The Lady Bulldogs trailed by a pair of runs entering the final frame, then unleashed the Dawgs of War so-to-speak with a barrage of blasts that plated seven runs.

M-A-C 17, Florence 12

MAC 005 302 7 – 17 20 3

Florence 214 302 0 – 12 13 2

Ran’Dee Charlo and Kenzie Couture. Shannon Byrne, Shay Waldbillig (5), Byrne (7) and Chloe Arthur. W – Charlo (4-2). L - Waldbillig.

MISSION-ARLEE-CHARLO – Mikaylan Roylance *2-6, Jordyn Eichert *3-5, Couture 3-5, Morgan Malatare 3-5, Jaycee Andersen 4-5, Charlo 2-4, Haley Carroll 0-3, Haley Crawford 0-2, Madison Savage 1-3, Vanessa Kent *1-2, Ashley Tanner 1-2.

HR – Eichert, Malatare, Charlo, Tanner. 3B – *Charlo; Zeiler. 2B – Eichert, Anderson; Byrne, Zeiler. RBIs – Eichert, Couture 2, Malatare 3, Anderson 3, Charlo 4, Tanner 2, Kent 2; Dulac 2, Leibenguth, Schurg, Zeiler 5, Little. (Sa16Apr16gm1)

Asterisk (*) denotes stat variant(s) that differ from reporting venue: Roylance 3H, Eichert 6AB, Kent 3AB.

MAC rallied in the nightcap by scoring three times in the bottom of the seventh to pull out an 8-7 win and complete a sweep of the crucial conference clash with the Lady Falcons. Ran’Dee Charlo hit a game-winning sacrifice fly that scored the go ahead run. The magnitude of the Bulldog sweep against such a storied BC softball program in terms of comparable measurements is virtually akin to the needle vibrating off an earthquake Richter Scale. Beating Florence is difficult enough. Sweeping them is a step beyond that. Doing them in on their home turf in the bottom of the seventh both times is almost unheard of in Montana prep softball.

MAC (8-2) hosts the Loyola Breakers on Friday, April 22 in the early afternoon at 2 p.m., then travel to Anaconda next Tuesday for a doubleheader.

M-A-C 8, Florence 7

Florence 222 000 1 – 7 8 4

MAC 100 301 3 – 8 9 7

Schurg, Byrne (7) and Arthur. Andersen, Charlo (7) and Couture. W – Charlo (5-2). L – Byrne.

MISSION-ARLEE-CHARLO – Roylance 0-4, Eichert 2-4, Couture 0-3, Malatare *0-2, Andersen 2-4, Charlo *1-2, Carroll 0-1, Tanner *2-2, Savage 0-1, Alyssa Sorrell 1-2, Kent 1-1, Crawford 0-1.

HR – Dulac, Arthur. 2B – Waldbillig; Eichert, *Andersen. RBIs – Byrne, Dulac, Arthur, Schurg, Greer; Roylance, Charlo, Crawford, Sorrell, Andersen 2. (Sa16Apr16gm2)

Asterisk (*) denotes stat variant(s) that differ from reporting venue: Malatare 1H, Charlo 3AB, Tanner 1H.

In Missoula last Friday, the Lady Bulldogs couldn’t catch many breaks against the Breakers as fatigue played a role in their loss to Loyola. Leadoff Mikaylan Roylance hit a pair of triples, but MAC couldn’t string enough bats together for hits to make the necessary inroads into the pitching of hurler Hannah Hirning. MAC drops to 6-2 with the loss.

Loyola 8, Mission-Arlee-Charlo 2

M-A-C 001 010 0 – 2 *4 3

Loyola 103 130 x – 8 9 3

Ran’Dee Charlo, Jaycee Anderson (4) and Kenzie Couture. Hannah Hirning and Carly Tipp. W – Hirning. L – Charlo (3-2).

MISSION-ARLEE-CHARLO – Mikaylan Roylance 2-3, Jordyn Eichert 1-4, Kenzie Couture 0-3, Morgan Malatare *1-2, Jaycee Andersen 0-2, Charlo 0-3, Haley Carroll 0-3, Madison Savage 0-2, Alyssa Sorrell 0-1, Vanessa Kent 0-1, Ashley Tanner 0-1, Haley Crawford 0-1.

HR – Tipp. 3B – Roylance 2. 2B – Jackson. RBIs – Tipp 3, Hirning 3, Anderson, Haran; Couture. (Fr15Apr16)

Asterisk (*) denotes stat variant(s) that differ from reporting venue: MAC3H: Malatare 0H.

At Libby this past Thursday, the Lady Bulldogs rallied from a nine run deficit to topple the former Class A Lady Loggers on their home turf. Ran’Dee Charlo homered in the fourth inning as well as pitched her team to victory. MAC smacked a half dozen extra base hits, a trio of doubles by Jaycee Andersen along with solo doubles by catcher Kenzie Couture, outfielder Morgan Malatare and Ashley Tanner. Andersen generated a handful of RBIs with a quintet.

Mission-Arlee-Charlo 10, Libby 9

M-A-C 000 341 2 – 10 *10 2

Libby 225 000 0 – 9 12 4

Ran Dee Charlo and Kenzie Couture; Khalyn Hageness and Sammee Bradeen. W – Charlo (3-1). L – Hageness.

MISSION-ARLEE-CHARLO – Mikaylan Roylance 0-4, Jordyn Eichert 0-3, Couture 2-4, Morgan Malatare *0-4, Jaycee Anderson *3-4, Charlo 2-4, Haley Carroll 1-3, Haley Crawford 1-1, Madison Savage 0-2, Vanessa Kent 0-1, Ashley Tanner 1-2.

HR – Charlo. 3B – Andersen 2B – Couture, Malatare, Andersen 3, Tanner; Monigold, Cannon, Hageness, Walker;

RBIs – Roylance, *Couture, *Andersen 5, Charlo 3; Monigold 3, Cannon, Hageness 2, Walker, Bradeen. (Th14Apr16)

Asterisk (*) denotes stat variant(s) that differ from reporting venue: MAC13H: Malatare 2H, Anderson (4H,4RBI), Couture (2RBI). Frankie Smith & Tomi Brazill did not play.

Ronan

At Ronan early Saturday morning, the visiting Lady Wardens sought to handcuff the host team when they plated a pair of early runs, but the Maidens broke free from their aspiring jailers to run rule Deer Lodge when they went through their entire lineup in the bottom of the fifth. Four players stroked a quintet of extra base hits, led by Kaitlyn Sassaman’s triple and a pair of doubles by Amanda Morency. Pitcher Carston Rhine posted nine strikeouts.

Ronan (4-0, 5-1) will have already faced Libby this Tuesday past, then host Troy in a doubleheader Thursday, April 21.

Ronan 12, Deer Lodge 2

Deer Lodge- 200 00 – 2 2 3

Ronan- 302 07 – 12 10 4

Rilee Gray and Alyssa Lamb. Carston Rhine (9K,2W) and Kaitlyn Sassaman. W – Rhine (4-1). L – Lamb.

RONAN – Sassaman *3-3, Gabby Wirz 1-3, Rhine 1-3, Amanda Morency 2-3, Sadie Wirz *2-2, Jordyn Clairmont 0-2, Kaitlyn Santos *0-1, Veyanna Webster *1-2, Jasmine Christensen 0-2, Courtnee Clairmont 1-3.

3B – Sassaman. 2B – Morency 2, S.Wirz, C.Clairmont. RBIs – Tiensvold; Sassaman, G.Wirz, Morency, S.Wirz, Webster 2, C.Clairmont SacF – S.Wirz. SacB – Christensen. BB – Swarengin, Kunesh; Sassaman, J.Clairmont. SB – Sassaman, S.Wirz, J.Clairmont, Webster . (Sa16Apr16)

Asterisk (*) denotes stat variant(s): Sassaman 2H (W,1B,3B,1B), S.Wirz 3AB (SacF,1B,2B), Santos 2AB (L1), Webster 1AB (g3u,1B)

At Ronan last Tuesday, the Maidens charmed their way past some figurative snakes upon the local grass when they played host to the visiting Anaconda Lady Copperheads. The outcome of the first game carried conference standing implications, while the second counted toward the nonconference slate. Anaconda entered the contest previously undefeated with a pedigree of having been a State A tournament qualifier the previous half dozen seasons (2010-15). The fangs of the visitors almost victimized Ronan, forcing the Maidens to rally from deficits.

In the first conference contest, the Maidens rallied with a four run fourth during which the entire Maiden lineup would head to the plate with pitching battery Carston Rhine and Kaitlyn Sassaman smacking extra base doubles.

The Lady Copperheads would load the bases the final two innings, but Rhine applied the appropriate amount of anti-venom antidote to extract the Maidens from getting snake-bit. With the win, Ronan (3-0) remains undefeated in division play and leapfrogs over Anaconda for the Western BC lead.

In the second nonconference clash, Ronan would rally to tie the match at four apiece in the fourth. Thereafter, the lead would seesaw back and fourth with enticing extra innings drama during which Kaitlyn Sassaman would plate two runs with a walk off two RBI single in the bottom of the eighth. Gabby Wirz would chalk up her first varsity complete game win with sister Sadie catching behind the plate, while Courtnee Clairmont smacked her first varsity career extra base hit, a beaut down the third base line that plated a pair. Ronan moves to 4-1 overall and faces off against Deer Lodge, then Libby.

Ronan 8, Anaconda 6

Anaconda 100 111 2 – 6 *10 2

Ronan 010 502 x – 8 10 4

Carston Rhine (7K,7W,1PO) and Kaitlyn Sassaman. Michaela Cortright and Hannah Schaefer. W – Rhine (3-1). L – Cortright.

RONAN – Kaitlyn Sassaman 3-4, Sadie Wirz 0-3, Carston Rhine 2-4, Amanda Morency 2-4, Kiana Brown 1-3, Gabby Wirz 1-2, Katlyn Santos 0-3, Jordyn Clairmont 0-2, Courtnee Clairmont 1-2.

HR – Johnson. 2B – Sassaman 2, Rhine. RBIs – Mavrinac, Johnson; Sassaman 2, Morency, Clairmont 2. SacF – Cortright. BB – Chapman 2, Peterson 2, Flores 2, Cortright; HB – Roche. SB – Schaefer; Sassaman, S.Wirz, Brown, G.Wirz, C.Clairmont. (Tu12Apr16gm1conf)

Asterisk (*) denotes stat variant(s) that differ from those reported by venue: A9H (Peterson 0H).

Ronan 7, Anaconda 6 (8 innings)

Anaconda 003 110 0 1 – 6 8 3

Ronan 110 200 1 2 – 7 11 2

Andi Mavrinac and Hannah Schaefer. Gabby Wirz (6K,4W,2PO) and Sadie Wirz. W – G.Wirz (1-0). L – Mavrinac.

RONAN – Sassaman 2-5, S.Wirz 0-2, Rhine 1-4, Morencey 1-4, Brown 2-4(E), G.Wirz *1-4, Santos *1-3, J.Clairmont 3-4, C.Clairmont *2-4.

HR – Cortright, Flores. 2B – Flores 2; Sassaman, Rhine, Brown, C. Clairmont. RBIs – Schaefer, Cortright, Flores, Mavrinac; Sassaman 3, Morency, Brown, C.Clairmont. HB – S.Wirz 2, Santos. BB – Chapman, Roche 3. SB – Peterson 2, Roche 2; J.Clairmont 2, G.Wirz, C.Clairmont. CS – Roche; S.Wirz. (Tu12Apr16gm2nonconf)

Asterisk (*) denotes stat variant(s): AB#4 G.Wirz (E5 vs. 1B+E5)

POLSON

At Corvallis on Saturday, the host Lady Blue Devils were intent upon making their visitors blush red with embarrassment by conjuring up a softball plague of devilish Bitterroot mischief, but the Lady Pirates took control early so that Corvallis ended up feeling the blues from more exercise than they bargained for after they were ten run ruled.

The trio of Kaelyn Smith, Laurel Bitterman and Camas Renault stroked a pair of hits with Renault and Bitterman delivering diabolical doubles while a half dozen Pirates racked up RBIs. Haley Fyant pitched her fourth win of the season.

Polson faces a pair of division opponents when they host Columbia Falls this Thursday, then travel to Frenchtown on Friday. On account of an eligibility issue that factored into the outcome of the Butte Central Lady Maroon game, Polson moves to 8-1 in the standings on account of a forfeit penalty.

Polson 14, Corvallis 0

Polson 613 31 – 14 *11 *2

Corvallis 000 00 – 0 3 *5

Haley Fyant (6K,2H,1HB), Lauren Vergeront (5) and Ashley Benson. Kayla Fields and Taia Tully. W – Fyant (4-1). L – Fields. Sv – Vergeront (2K,1H,1PO).

POLSON – Kaelyn Smith *2-3, Ashley Benson 1-3, Haley Fyant 1-2, Mikayla Croft 0-0, Hannah Potter *0-2, Breyland McColl *1-1, Lydia Dupuis 0-2, Whitney Barr 0-1, Quinn Motichka 1-3(E), Paige Noyes 0-1, Hannah Fryberger 1-2, Kaylanna Desjarlais 0-1, Laurel Bitterman *2-3, Camas Renault 2-2.

2B – Renault,*[Bitterman; Powell]. RBIs – Fyant, Potter 2, Dupuis, *[Fryberger]=Noyes, Bitterman, Renault 2. SacF – Potter. BB – Smith, Benson, Fyant, Croft, Fryberger, Renault; Shepherd. HB – Doyle. SB – Smith 4, Benson, Motichka 3, Fryberger2. CS – Noyes. (Sa16Apr16) Asterisk (*) denotes stat variant(s) that differ from media coverage reported by venue: P8H,1E; C4E. Smith 1H, Potter 0-3(Sac), McColl 0H(E?), Bitterman 1H. Brackets [ ] denote insertion.

At Hamilton this past Thursday, the visiting Lady Pirates held rein on the Lady Broncs, but almost got bucked from the saddle before it was all said and done. Polson took the initial lead in the top of the first, but the Broncs bombers from the Bitterroot flipped the script when they responded by rallying past with a strong third inning. Polson pared the lead down to one with a pair in the fourth, then the battling Bucs rallied past for good with five in the top of the seventh.

Quinn Motichka had a rock solid day at the plate with a trio of doubles along with a free pass, while Ashley Benson also smacked three hits. Haley Fyant joined the threesome club by getting on base thrice taking into account a “Bermuda Triangle”. blooper that dribbled off the glove of the diving fielder. Polson moves to 6-2 overall.

Polson 11, Hamilton 7

Polson 400 200 5 – 11 13 1

Hamilton 214 000 0 – 7 *10 1

Haley Fyant, Camas Renault (2), Fyant (3) and Ashley Benson. Sky Lopez and Kelsie Meis. W – Fyant (3-1). L – Lopez.

Pitching specs: Fyant (52IP: 8K,4H,4W,1HB), Renault (1BIP: 2K,6H,1PO).

POLSON – Kaelyn Smith 1-5, Ashley Benson 3-4, Haley Fyant 1-5(E,FC), Mikayla Croft 0-0, Hannah Potter 2-4, Lydia Dupuis 1-3, Laurel Bitterman 1-2, Hannah Fryberger *0-2, Paige Noyes 0-1(FC), Camas Renault 0-1, Lauren Vergeront 1-2, Quinn Motichka 3-3.

HR – McGill. 2B – Potter 2, Motichka 3; *Ringer, Doyle. RBIs – Smith, Benson 2, Fyant 2, Dupuis, Fryberger, Motichka 2; Nye, Ringer 2, McGill 2, Doyle. SacH – Fryberger, Smith. BB – Bitterman 2, Benson, Motichka, Dupuis, Vergeront; Nye Dillon, Hudgins, Rouse. HB – Huxtable. SB – Noyes, Dupuis 2; Ringer. DP – Hbtm6th. (Th14Apr16)

Asterisk (*) denotes stat variant(s): Ham 11H (DellaSilva 1H scored as E by LPbk).

footnote – Bermuda Triangle refers to a region where flying objects tend to disappear under mysterious circumstances. In softball/baseball, it denotes an area of the field just beyond the range of most infielders while too shallow for corner outfielders to make a play.