MAC Softball battles to fourth place
The Mission-Arlee-Charlo (MAC) softball team capped a stellar season with a fourth-place finish at the State B/C Tournament held May 22-24 in Glasgow, earning a pair of dramatic one-run victories and battling through a loaded bracket that included perennial contenders.
MAC opened tournament play Thursday morning with a gutsy 6-5 comeback win over Huntley Project. Down 4-2 entering the bottom of the fourth, MAC rallied for four runs to take control of the game. Amelia Cronk delivered a key RBI single in the inning, while GG Hawk and Maddy Hanken also knocked in runs to power the surge.
Jada Domebo pitched a complete game, scattering nine hits and striking out four while allowing just three earned runs. Cronk finished 2-for-3 at the plate, and Hawk went a perfect 2-for-2 to lead the offense.
Later that day, MAC ran into a hot-hitting Shepherd squad that posted 18 hits en route to a 12-1 win. Despite the loss, MAC showed resolve, avoiding a shutout with an RBI from Domebo in the third inning. Maia Christopher doubled and scored MAC’s lone run.
Kieran Incashola and Domebo split pitching duties in the loss. Shepherd struck early and often, plating eight runs in the first three innings and adding insurance late to enforce the run rule.
The following day, MAC battled back in an elimination game against Troy, grinding out a 6-5 victory. The offense clicked in a balanced effort, with seven different players recording hits. Maddy Hanken and Kensey Burke each went 3-for-4, with Burke collecting a double and an RBI. Domebo continued her strong tournament showing with a 2-RBI performance and another complete game in the circle, striking out five and giving up just two earned runs.
The win advanced MAC to a third-place showdown with Florence-Carlton, another power program with state tournament experience. Florence’s consistent offense proved difficult to hold back, scoring in six of seven innings to claim a 7-2 win and end MAC’s tournament run.
MAC managed just two hits in the game, singles from Hawk and Incashola. Incashola pitched the full seven innings, battling through 11 hits and allowing six earned runs.
Despite the loss, MAC left the tournament with its heads high, having secured a fourth-place trophy in a pressure-packed state setting. The Lady Bulldogs finished the season 21-8.
Thursday, May 22
MAC 6, HUNTLEY PROJECT 5
HunP - 0220010 - 5 - 9 - 4
MAC - 002400x - 6 - 8 - 2
MAC HITTING: Maia Christoper 1-4, GG Hawk 2-2, Jada Domebo 1-3, Kieran Incashola 1-3, Maddy Hanken 1-3, Amelia Cronk 2-3; RBI: Hawk, Hanken, Cronk; 2B: Christopher
MAC PITCHING: Jada Domebo (7IP, 9H, 5R, 3ER, 1BB, 4SO)
SHEPARD 12, MAC 1
Shep - 30513 - 12 - 18 - 0
MAC - 00100 - 1 - 3 - 4
MAC HITTING: Maia Christopher 1-3, Jada Domebo 1-2, Alecia Steele 1-2; RBI: Domebo; 2B: Christopher
MAC PITCHING: Kieran Incashola (2 and 1/3IP, 11H, 8R, 7ER, 2BB), Jada Domebo (2 and 2/3IP, 7H, 4R, 4ER, 1BB)
Friday, May 23
MAC 6, TROY 5
MAC HITTING: Maia Christopher 1-2, GG Hawk 1-3, Jada Domebo 1-2, Alecia Steele 2-4, Maddy Hanken 3-4, Amelia Cronk 1-4, Kensey Burke 3-4; RBI: Domebo 2, Cronk, Burke; 2B: Cronk, Hanken, Burke
MAC PITCHING: Jada Domebo (7IP, 9H, 5R, 2ER, 5SO)
FLORENCE-CARLTON 7, MAC 2
Flor - 0121111 - 7 - 11 - 3
MAC - 0000200 - 2 - 2 - 2
MAC HITTING: GG Hawk 1-3, Kieran Incashola 1-3
MAC PITCHING: Kieran Incashola (7IP, 11H, 7R, 6ER, 2BB, 1SO)