The heartbeat of the Mission-Arlee-Charlo softball program has never been stronger. A year after winning its first softball divisional title in school history, the Lady Bulldogs had 27 girls come out for the sport this season, including six returning starters.

The heartbeat of the Mission-Arlee-Charlo softball program has never been stronger. A year after winning its first softball divisional title in school history, the Lady Bulldogs had 27 girls come out for the sport this season, including six returning starters.

While MAC will miss the talents of first baseman Bryanna Steele, who suffered a season-ending injury playing basketball, they have a lineup that would give the 1920s New York Yankees a run for their money.

“The turnout numbers speak for themselves,” head coach Susan Weaselhead said. “The girls came in with a good attitude and are ready to learn. I think we’re going to be strong this upcoming season.”

Senior Kinley Pope will bring her teriffic all-state glove and bat to the shortstop position.

“Kinley played ASA over the summer,” Weaselhead said. “A lot of these girls played other sports all year so they come into the season really in shape.”

Pope excelled out on the basketball court this winter and was a statistical beast at the plate last year for the Lady Bulldogs.

Another run machine was third baseman Janeal Mc- Donald, who was the biggest power threat at the plate since Albert Pujols picked up a bat. McDonald earned all-conference honors last season. Serena Long will tend second base for the Bulldogs and bring her solid bat to the lineup.

“Defensively, we’re going to be very, very strong,” Weaselhead said. “We’ve got our positions covered with smart, athletic girls.”

Standing inside the pitcher’s circle this season will be junior Loren Erickson. You may have seen her owning the court in volleyball and basketball this season and she earned all-state honors playing the outfield and splitting pitching duties for the Lady Bulldogs last season.

“Loren is really looking good at pitcher,” Weaselhead said. “She really did a lot of work during the offseason.”

Catching for Erickson will be Alyssa Doty. The veteran will give MAC a strong presence behind the plate.

“Her skills have grown a lot since last year,” Weaselhead said. “I’m really expecting good things from her.”

The outfield will be a great group of Lady Bulldogs sure to make SportsCenter-worthy plays. Sahriha Camacho, Sara Nerby, Trinda Foust, Emily Gillingham and Connor Smith. The Western B/C conference will have strong competitors in Loyola, which finished second at state last year and Florence, which finished third. Ronan also enters Class B in softball after a strong showing in Class A last season.

“It’s going to be interesting to play Ronan,” Weaselhead said of the Mission Valley rival and added that Deer Lodge should be a strong team as well.

Thompson Falls-Noxon, which won state two years ago, will not be able to field a team due to a low turnout.

MAC definitely has the experience to tackle these strong teams and if last year’s wonderful run is any indication, the program should have another banner year.

“It definitely helps that they already know what to do,” Weaselhead said of having a large group of returning players. “And the younger girls don’t just have to listen to me, they can hear and pick up things from the older girls as well. That really helps.”