The McLennan Highlassies and North Central Lions closed out the regular season with a doubleheader split Friday afternoon in Gainesville.
North Central took game one 3-2 with Lizzie Donaldson taking the loss for the Highlassies in the circle.
McLennan scored both of its runs in the top of the third. Breanna Heredia and Elizabeth Svienty both singled. Both runners advanced on a ground out by Victoria Gonzales. A sacrifice fly by Theresa Gonzales brought Heredia in to score. Svienty then scored on a double by Serena Saldivar.
The Lady Lions stole the win with three runs in the bottom of the sixth. Hillaree Schwartz singled, and Maddie Horn and Christina Hill both walked to load the bases. Schwartz scored on a wild pitch, and Laurena Bierschenk doubled to score Horn and Hill.
McLennan came from behind to defeat North Central 7-5 in game two with Victoria Vasquez picking up the win in the circle.
The Highlassies began the scoring with one run in the top of the first as Svienty singled, moved around to third on a single by Victoria Gonzales and scored on a single by Salazar.
The Lady Lions took the lead with two runs in the fourth. Horn was safe at first on an error but was thrown out at second on a fielder's choice by Hill. Another Highlassie error brought Hill in to score and put Rylee Hodges on second. Scout Tatum replaced Hodges as a pinch runner. Hannah Cooper followed with a single to score Tatum.
North Central extended its lead with three runs in the fifth. Riley Oldham singled and moved to second on a sacrifice by Adrienne Nairn. Schwartz singled and Horn followed with a double to score Oldham and Schwartz. Horn then scored on a single by Bierschenk.
Saldivar hit a solo home run in the sixth to begin the McLennan comeback.
The Highlassies tied the game with three runs in the top of seventh. Svienty and Victoria Gonzales both singled, and Theresa Gonzales was hit by the pitch to load the bases. Svienty scored on a passed ball and Saldivar singled to score Victoria Gonzales. A North Central error brought Theresa Gonzales in to score.
McLennan sealed the win with two runs in the eighth. Haley Webre singled and moved to second on a sacrifice by Angie Camacho. Estrella Guardiola also singled. Svienty singled to score Webre, and Guardiola scored on a passed ball.
The Highlassies will compete in the Region V North Tournament May 5-7 at The Ballfields at Craig Ranch in McKinney.
North Central 3, McLennan 2
McLennan 002 000 0 – 2 8 0
North Central 000 003 x – 3 5 1
Lizzie Donaldson and Breanna Heredia. Brooke Ford and Betsy Bell. WP: Ford; LP: Donaldson. Leading hitters – McLennan: Elizabeth Svienty (2-4, 2B), Theresa Gonzales (0-2, RBI), Serena Saldivar (1-3, 2B, RBI) and Breanna Heredia (2-3); North Central: Hillaree Schwartz (2-3, 2B), Christina Hill (2-2, 2B) and Laurena Bierschenk (1-2, 2 RBI). Record: McLennan 36-17 (20-11).
McLennan 7, North Central 5
McLennan 100 001 32 – 7 16 2
North Central 000 230 00 – 5 6 2
Vannessa Castro, Victoria Vasquez (6) and Estrella Guardiola. Brooke Ford, Laurena Bierschenk (2), Samantha Cable (8) and Hannah Cooper. WP: Vasquez; LP: Cable. Leading hitters – McLennan: Elizabeth Svienty (4-5, RBI), Victoria Gonzales (2-4), Serena Saldivar (4-4, HR, 3 RBI), Gabrielle Fonseca (1-4, RBI), Haley Webre (2-4) and Estrella Guardiola (2-4); North Central: Maddie Horn (1-4, 2B, 2 RBI, Laurena Bierschenk (1-3, RBI), Rylee Hodges (1-4, RBI) and Hannah Cooper (1-3, RBI). Record: McLennan 37-17 (21-11).
