Maidens' softball experience rainouts in early contest

At Ronan this past weekend, Ronan Maiden softball was drenched by two types of differing rain.

During their venue change conference opener against visiting Columbia Falls this past Friday, the sky opened up just as the contest was getting underway. In the top of the first, Maiden hurler Macao Jackson held the visitors scoreless just as the rain started to fall. During the bottom half of the inning, increasing precipitation disrupted not only the Kat pitcher’s concentration, but also her delivery as she issued five walks and allowed a half dozen base runners. Ronan would plate a trio for a 3-0 lead.

Unfortunately, playable field conditions deteriorated to the point that the game which at first was only temporarily postponed for a rain delay was then called to be rescheduled at a later date. Most species of feline have an

aversion for water and these visiting WildKats were no exception. Had the game been able to be continued, water woes might have played to the Maiden’s benefit.

On Saturday, the Frenchtown Lady Broncs doused the Maidens with another type of rain, this version of a drier variety as Ronan was pelted by a cascade of softballs falling like hail. The lone score for the Maidens took place when

leadoff LaNissa Mahkuk singled to open the third inning, then plated on a sacrifice-fly to right field by cleanup batter Emilie Corley. The colder than usual temperatures coupled with blustery wind conditions that required

multiple layers to retain warmth had a distinct chilling effect on Maiden batting.

Among the roster for Frenchtown were hurler Claire Bagnell along with leadoff sister Cassidy, nieces of Drs. Timothy (DDS) and Kelly (MD) Bagnell of Ronan. Batting in the middle of the order was Cassidy Moen, daughter of

Marcia (Richwine) Moen, owner of Richwine’s Burgerville. Claire Bagnell struck out nine, while Moen smacked a two bag tater in the first followed by an RBI flyout in the seventh.

Maiden head coach Kaylee Cheff was encouraged by visible signs of skill refinement when she commented, “I felt that we did a good job in certain situations. They had executed what we had been working on ... (and w)e are

seeing improvements each game. We had a lot of great catches ... by our outfielders LaNissa Mahkuk, Rhiley Big Beaver and Julia Daley.”

Ronan will have already played a rescheduled contest against Browning on Tuesday, then will have already played Corvallis on the UM Lady Griz softball field on Wednesday. The Maidens then travel to Polson for round one

of their rez rivalry wrangle with the Lady Pirates this upcoming Tuesday,

April 16.

***[fine sports font agate for box scores below]***

Frenchtown 15, Ronan 1

NWA Ronan (0-3), SWA Frenchtown (3-1)

Frenchtown 331 003 5 – 15 17 1

Ronan 001 000 0 – 1 4 5

Claire Bagnell (7IP: 9K,3W) and Kendra Williams. Macao Jackson (7IP: 3K,6W)

and Maddy Mae Miller. W – Cl. Bagnell. L – Jackson (0-3)

FRENCHTOWN – Cassidy Bagnell 1-3, Hallie Habeck 0-0, Mikaela Field 1-4,

Sarah Hibbard 1-1, Layne Bauer 1-3, Sadie Smith 1-1, Taylor Garren 3-5,

Cassidy Moen *2-3, Cl. Bagnell 2-5, Hailey Arthur 1-2, Charity Rebich 0-0,

Williams 1-5, Khasidy Hodge 3-3, Lindsey Knight 0-1.

RONAN – LaNissa Mahkuk 2-4, Madison Clairmont 0-2, Jackson 0-2, Emilie

Corley 1-2, Regan Clairmont 0-2, Miller 0-3, Rhylie Big Beaver 1-3, Ashlie

Welker 0-3, Julia Daley 0-3.

HR – Garren, Moen, Bagnell. RBIs – Corley; Garren 5, Moen 3, Bagnell 2,

Arthur 2, Bauer, *Hodge. SF – Corley; *Moen. HB – Bauer. BB – M.Clairmont,

Jackson, R.Clairmont; Bagnell, Habeck, Moen, Arthur 2, Rebich 1. SB –

Mahkuk. CS – Mahkuk; Arthur. (Sa04Apr19)

Asterisk (*) denotes stat variant(s) where alternative evaluation(s) of play

scoring may exist:Moen hit a high flyout that arced into shallow infield behind second

base. Infielder drifted back to make a backpedaling snowcone catch. Runner

on third tagged up and scored. Informal tally scored as RBI sacrifice fly

(SF), but alternative eval could be viewed as infield flyout with error of

not throwing ball home to hold runner.