Mission-Arlee-Charlo softball reloaded, ready to rock

With 24 athletes out for the Mission-Arlee-Charlo softball program this spring, head coach Jesse Nesper is feeling optimistic.

“We’ve got a real good turnout this year,” Nesper said. “It’s been a few years of having numbers like this. We had a lot of success in recent seasons, and while last year was a bit of a disappointment, it was still a strong year overall.”

And with that success comes high expectations.

“Every year, we’re going out with a state championship in our sights,” Nesper said. “Success breeds success. When I started here as an assistant coach, we went back-to-back-to-back to the state title game. Some of these kids were part of that last run—they know what it’s about.”

That hunger has only intensified after missing out on the state tournament last spring.

“Now they know what it’s like not to go,” Nesper added. “There’s a lot of drive this season. We’re not coming out here to just play ball – we’re coming for that state title game.”

Speed, power and depth

According to Nesper, the 2025 MAC squad is stacked with athleticism and offensive firepower.

“We’ve always been very quick, and this year we’ve got a lot of speed again,” she said. “We’re strong at the plate and do a good job on both sides of the ball. We really excel offensively – we put a lot of runs on the board.”

Defensively, the team is solid as well, with intense competition for spots.

“We’re not lacking on defense. We’ve got more kids than spots on the field, so we’ve got a lot of girls battling it out to earn their position,” Nesper said.

Behind the plate, senior catcher Amelia Cronk anchors the defense. In the circle, the team will rely on a combination of pitchers, with Jada Domebo and Kieran Incashola expected to be the Greg Maddux/Tom Glavine 1-2 punch.

“We don’t have a senior pitcher this year, but we’ve got a solid group of arms,” Nesper said. “We’ve also got some younger pitchers coming up, and we’re going to develop them as the season goes on.”

Junior Maia Christopher returns as an offensive powerhouse and all-around athlete.

“She’s just one of those kids who can do it all – she’s fast and she can hit,” Nesper said.

Additional key contributors include Charlo’s GG Hawk and Maizy McDonald, as well as a crop of younger players from Arlee who are expected to make an impact.

“McDonald is a true utility player—she can play infield, outfield, and even catch,” Nesper said. “She’s just a sophomore, and she’s one of many underclassmen who are ready to step up.”

Tough new conference format

This year, MAC faces a new challenge: a super-conference combining the North and South divisions, stretching from Troy and Eureka to the north to Ennis and Three Forks in the south.

“It’s a weirdly shaped league now, and it makes for a really challenging schedule,” Nesper said. “Every game is now a conference game, and we’ve got to play each team twice.”

In total, the team will play 18 conference games, plus four more at the Cut Bank Tournament to wrap up the regular season.

“The Cut Bank Tournament gives us a good chance to see some teams from the East,” Nesper said.

As for league competition, Nesper said Florence is always tough, Troy is improving, and teams like Three Forks and Deer Lodge are full of young talent.

“Some of those teams have eighth-graders and freshmen stepping up big. It’s tough to predict year to year—it all depends on who’s playing, who’s moved,” Nesper said. “It’s even tougher when every game counts and you don’t have room for non-league play.”

With a 2-0 start to the season, it looks like MAC is once again playing some heavy metal softball.

“We’re ready to rock and roll,” Nesper said. “We’re not just here to play – we’re here to compete for a state title.”