Ronan Softball splits four-game stretch, moves to 7-5 on season

The Ronan Maidens softball team came away with a pair of wins and a pair of close losses during a busy weekend of action, improving to 7-5 on the season. Ronan’s bats were alive throughout the four-game stretch, as the team combined for 41 runs and 49 hits.

Ronan opened the weekend with two games on Friday, April 25, at the Frenchtown Invitational. In their first contest, the Maidens ran into trouble defensively against Stevensville, committing nine errors in a 16-7 loss. Despite scoring in early innings and pounding out eight hits, Ronan couldn’t keep up with the Yellowjackets’ 11 runs in the final three innings.

Kailyn Marengo went the distance in the circle, striking out nine but giving up 16 hits, with only 10 of the runs earned. At the plate, Adrienne Crockett continued her strong season by going 2-for-3 with three RBIs, while KaNana Couture added two RBIs and a double. Kai-Cee Sorrell and Neveah Perez also contributed RBIs in the effort.

Ronan quickly bounced back later that day with a 15-10 win over Missoula Hellgate in a slugfest that saw the Maidens tally 19 hits. A steady scoring attack that included runs in five of the seven innings helped Ronan stay ahead, even as Hellgate closed the gap late.

Shelby Taylor led the offense with a 3-for-4 day and two RBIs, while Sorrell had a big game, going 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, and three RBIs. Perez, Couture, and Crockett also drove in multiple runs. Marengo picked up the win with five innings of work, giving up no earned runs, while Alexa Youngren came in to close it out over the final two innings.

On Saturday, Ronan opened the day against Dillon and was edged 12-11 in a wild, error-filled game. The Maidens jumped out to an 9-7 lead thanks to a five-run third inning, but 11 team errors proved costly as Dillon clawed back and took the lead for good in the bottom of the sixth.

Perez had a standout performance, going 2-for-2 with three RBIs and a home run. Crockett continued to swing a hot bat, finishing 3-for-4 with a double, while Sorrell added a triple and Marengo drove in two runs. Marengo again pitched a complete game, allowing just six hits and no earned runs while striking out four.

Ronan ended the tournament on a high note with a dominant 8-0 shutout of Butte Central. The Maidens struck early and never looked back, plating three in the first and adding insurance runs in the fourth and sixth. This time, the defense was flawless, and the pitching duo of Marengo and Youngren combined for a one-hit shutout.

Lozeau led the way offensively with a 3-for-4 game, while Kelch went 2-for-4 and blasted a solo home run. Crockett, Perez, and Taylor each drove in a run, rounding out a balanced offensive effort. Marengo struck out four in 5 and 1/3 innings before Youngren finished the final five outs.

Friday, April 25

At Frenchtown

STEVENSVILLE 16, RONAN 7

Stevi - 2300632 - 16 - 16 - 1

Ronan - 0230200 - 7 - 8 - 9

RONAN HITTING: Ally Luedtke 0-4, Autumn Lozeau 0-4, Neveah Perez 1-4, Kailyn Marengo 2-4, Hadassah Read 1-2, Kai-Cee Sorrell 1-4, Kylee Kelch 0-1, KaNana Couture 1-1, Adrienne Crockett 2-3, Shelby Taylor 0-2; RBI: Sorrel, Kelch, Couture 2, Crockett 3; 2B: Couture, Perez

RONAN PITCHING: Kailyn Marengo (7IP, 16, 16R, 10ER, 2BB, 9SO)

RONAN 15, HELLGATE 10

Ronan - 0323160 - 15 - 19 - 5

Hellga - 0021421 - 10 - 11 - 4

RONAN HITTING: Adrienne Crockett 1-4, Ally Luedtke 0-3, DeeDee Ellsworth 1-1, Neveah Perez 2-5, KaNana Couture 1-3, Kylee Kelch 1-2, Kai-Cee Sorrell 2-4, Malory Marquez 1-2, Autumn Lozeau 1-3, Shelby Taylor 3-4; RBI: Crockett 2, Ellsworth, Perez, Couture 2, Sorrell 3, Taylor 2; 2B: Crockett, Ellsworth, Sorrell, Taylor; HR: Sorrell

RONAN PITCHING: Kailyn Marengo (5IP, 6H, 7R, 0ER, 2BB, 4SO), Alexa Youngren (2IP, 5H, 3R, 3ER, 1BB, 1SO)

Saturday, April 26

DILLON 12, RONAN 11

Ronan - 3152000 - 11 - 12 - 11

Dillon - 160203x - 12 - 6 - 5

RONAN HITTING: Adrienne Crockett 3-4, Autumn Lozeau 2-4, Neveah Perez 2-2, Kailyn Marengo 2-5, Hadassah Read 0-3, Kai-Cee Sorrell 2-4, Ally Luedtke 0-2, Kylee Kelch 1-2, Shelby Taylor 0-4; RBI: Lozeau, Perez 3, Marengo 2, Kelch 2; 2B: Crockett, Kelch, Marengo; 3B: Sorrell; HR: Perez

RONAN PITCHING: Kailyn Marengo (6IP, 6H, 12R, 0ER, 2BB, 4SO)

RONAN 8, BUTTE CENTRAL 0

Ronan - 3001040 - 8 - 10 - 0

ButteC - 0000000 - 0 - 1 - 2

RONAN HITTING: Adrienne Crockett 1-4, Autumn Lozeau 3-4, Neveah Perez 0-3, Kailyn Marengo 1-4, Hadassah Read 0-3, Kai-Cee Sorrell 0-3, Alexa Youngren 1-1, Ally Luedtke 1-4, Kylee Kelch 2-4, Shelby Taylor 1-4; RBI: Crockett, Perez, Read, Kelch, Taylor; HR: Kelch

RONAN PITCHING: Kailyn Marengo (5 and 1/3IP, 1H, 0R, 4SO), Alexa Youngren (1 and 2/3IP, 0H, 0R, 2BB, 1SO)