MAC Softball bounces back with dominant wins

After a tough road loss to Troy earlier in the week, the Mission-Arlee-Charlo (MAC) softball team responded in dominant fashion, racking up a pair of mercy-rule wins to improve to 4-1 on the season.

The week began on a sour note for the MAC squad on Tuesday, April 1, as they traveled to Troy and fell 13-2 in a five-inning contest. MAC struggled at the plate, managing just four hits while committing three errors defensively.

Troy came out swinging, scoring four runs in the first inning and adding five more in the third to put the game out of reach early.

Kieran Incashola was a bright spot for MAC in the loss, going 2-for-2 at the plate and driving in one of the team’s two runs with a solo home run in the fifth inning. Alecia Steele and Maia Christopher each added a hit, but MAC couldn’t string anything together offensively.

Incashola also started in the circle, giving up five hits and six earned runs over three innings. Jada Domebo came on in relief and pitched a scoreless inning with a strikeout, though four unearned runs came across due to fielding miscues.

Despite the loss, MAC showed resilience and turned things around quickly.

On Friday, April 4, the Lady Bulldogs traveled to Plains and put together a well-rounded performance in a 15-4 victory. MAC’s bats came alive, racking up 10 hits in just four innings of offense. A nine-run second inning blew the game wide open and gave MAC a commanding lead they would not relinquish.

Maia Christopher continued to set the tone from the leadoff spot, going 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. GG Hawk and Jada Domebo each added a hit and two RBIs apiece, while Maddy Hanken knocked in two more and finished with a 2-for-4 effort at the plate. Avia Lee was a perfect 2-for-2 and Kaylee Tanner chipped in with a base hit as well.

In the circle, Domebo started and pitched three innings, allowing seven hits and four runs – only three of which were earned – while striking out two. Incashola closed things out, pitching two hitless innings and striking out three to seal the run-rule win.

MAC carried that momentum into Saturday’s matchup at home against Thompson Falls-Noxon, delivering their most complete performance of the week in an 11-1 six-inning win.

The offense exploded for 18 hits, and every player in the starting lineup either got on base or produced offensively. Christopher once again sparked the attack with a 3-for-4 outing with two RBI, while Incashola also went 3-for-4.

Alecia Steele delivered two extra-base hits and two RBI, including a double and a triple, while Amelia Cronk and Bella Ellison each chipped in with a pair of hits. Avia Lee added a 2-for-3 performance with two runs batted in, and Hanken collected another RBI and a hit. Domebo also had two hits and drove in two runs.

Defensively, MAC was flawless behind a dominant outing from Domebo, who pitched a complete game. She allowed just two hits and one earned run over six innings while striking out six and walking only one.

TROY 13, MAC 2

MAC - 000 - 02 - 2 - 4 - 3

Troy - 405 - 4x - 13 - 7 – 1

MAC HITTING: Maia Christopher 1-3, GG Hawk 0-3, Jada Domebo 0-2, Alecia Steele 1-2, Maddy Hanken 0-2, Kieran Incashola 2-2, Bella Ellison 0-1, Abbie Orr 0-2, Kaylee Tanner 0-1; RBI: Incashola; HR: Incashola

MAC PITCHING: Kieran Incashola (3IP, 5H, 9R, 6ER, 2BB, 2SO), Jada Domebo (1IP, 0H, 4R, 0ER, 3BB, 1SO)

MAC 15, PLAINS 4

MAC - 39210 - 15 - 10 - 0

Plains - 03100 - 4 - 7 - 1

MAC HITTING: Maia Christopher 2-3, GG Hawk 1-2, Jada Domebo 1-2, Alecia Steele 0-2, Avia Lee 2-2, Kieran Incashola 1-2, Maddy Hanken 2-4, Bella Ellison 0-1, Abbie Orr 0-1, Kaylee Tanner 1-2, Arianna Robine 0-1; RBI: Christopher 2, Hawk 2, Steele, Incashola, Hanken 2; 2B: Christopher

MAC PITCHING: Jada Domebo (3IP, 7H, 4R, 3ER, 2SO), Kieran Incashola (2IP, 0H, OR, 3SO)

MAC 11, THOMPSON FALLS-NOXON 1

T-Falls - 010000 - 1 - 2 - 2

MAC - 001136 - 11 - 18 - 0

MAC HITTING: Maia Christopher 3-4, GG Hawk 1-4, Jada Domebo 2-4, Alecia Steele 2-4, Avia Lee 2-3, Kieran Incashola 3-4, Maddy Hanken 1-4, Amelia Cronk 2-3, Bella Ellison 2-3; RBI: Christopher 2, Hawk, Domebo 2, Steele 2, Lee 2, Incashola, Hanken; 2B: Steele; 3B: Steele

MAC PITCHING: Jada Domebo (6IP, 2H, 1R, 1ER, 1BB, 6SO)

    MAC's senior catcher Maddy Hanken nabs the ball during the team's 15-4 triumph against Plains last Friday. (Caroline Roesch photo)
  

    Junior Alecia Steele throws to first with sophomore Avia Lee backing her up during Mission-Arlee-Charlo's game against Plains last Friday. (Caroline Roesch photo)