DEER LODGE – The Lady Bulldogs’ Loren Erickson showed she was a jack-of-all-trades Thursday against Deer Lodge. Not only did Erickson go the distance for the Lady Bulldogs in the circle, pitching seven innings, but Erickson also contributed at the plate, going 3 for 4 at the plant and guided Mission-Arlee-Charlo to the 15-8 victory over the Wardens.  

“What else can I say about Loren? She’s a very dedicated player,” said MAC head coach Susan Weaselhead.  “She pitches everyday, whether we have practice [or a game] or we don’t, and our catcher Alyssa Doty is usually right there with her.”  

MAC’s pitcher-catcher battery not only performs in the circle and behind the plant, but the two do it with their sticks as well. Along with getting three hits in four at-bats, Erickson also drove in three and scored four runs.  

“Loren’s bat was really hot, which was nice,” said Coach Weaselhead.  

Her partner in crime Doty also came alive at the plate, going 2 for 3 with an RBI.  

Deer Lodge, however, would not go down so easily.  Trailing 10-1 in the bottom of the third, the Wardens responded with three runs in the bottom half of the third, and with three more in the fifth.  But the Lady Bulldogs responded in the top of the sixth, scoring another four and cruised to the seven-run win.   Deer Lodge wasn’t doing the Lady Bulldogs’ bats any favors.  The Wardens committed five errors that led to eight unearned runs.  

Despite committing two errors, the Lady Bulldogs’ defense in the field was sensational, covering the gaps in the outfield and saving numerous runs.  

“Deer Lodge offense was going, they were swinging on first and second strikes, but our outfield saved us runs,” said Coach Weaselhead.  “Our outfield caught a couple I thought they didn’t have a chance at.”  

Coach Weaselhead will expect to rely on her veteran outfield and pitcher, catcher combination all season. The four senior captains Erickson, Doty, Sara Nerby and Sahriha Camacho, will have to take on that leadership role in order for MAC to advance and contend at the state tournament.  

"Loren Erickson has been an excellent leader, she gets practices going and gets our team pumped up for games,” said Coach Weaselhead.  “All four of our seniors have really stepped up to the plate.”  

The win against Deer Lodge brings the Lady Bulldogs to 1-0, after inclement weather suspended their game against Corvallis last weekend.  The Lady Bulldogs will face district rival Ronan on Tuesday.

MAC             433   014   0    –  15 15  2

Deer Lodge   103   031   0    –   8  13  5

W – Erickson.  L – Knuchel.

   MAC – Sara Nerby 1-4, Loren Erickson 3-4, Sahriha Camacho 1-5, Alyssa Doty 2-3, Emyli Gillingham 2-3, Emilie Charlo 2-4, Trinda Foust 1-4, Connor Smith 0-3, Courtney Charlo 1-2, Jordyn Eichert 2-4

   DEER LODGE – Annie Lombardi 3-4, Kelcie Gray 2-4, Dani Walker 1-3, Michele Christnacht 1-4, Hunter Therriault 3-4, Ivy Duncan 0-3, Delaney Knuchel 1-3, Natalie Padovich 1-3, Sara Forbes 1-2.  

   2B – Nerby, Eichert, Lombardie, Walker, Christnacht.  HR – Gray.  RBI – Erickson 3, Gray 3, Gillingham 2, E. Charlo 2, Christnacht 2.