McLennan, North Central split softball doubleheader
The McLennan Highlassies and North Central Lady Lions split today's doubleheader in Gainesville.
McLennan shutout North Central 11-0 in the opening game with Emily Klanika picking up the run-rule victory in the circle.
The Highlassies scored three runs in the third inning. Kaelin Morkisch singled and advanced to third on a North Central error. Olivia Lantigua was safe on a fielder's choice, and Morkisch scored on another error. Kaitlin Richards and Arianna Perales both singled, bringing Lantigua in to score. Sophie Wideman and Emeri Eubanks also singled to score Richards.
Four McLennan runs scored in the fourth. Charley Avery tripled and scored on the throw. Morkisch and Richards both singled. Perales then reached on an error, bringing Morkisch in to score. Richards stole home and Perales scored on a single by Wideman.
The Highlassies sealed the run rule with four runs in the fifth. Brooke Arnold, Morkisch and Lantigua all walked to load the bases. Richards followed with a single to score Arnold and Morkisch. Perales then doubled to score Lantigua and Richards.
North Central bounced back to defeat McLennan 6-2 in the night cap with Carla Torres taking the loss in the circle.
The Lady Lions jumped out to an early lead with four runs in the bottom of the first. Peyton Streetman was safe on an error and Brooklyn Mason singled. Payton Davidson followed with a fielder's choice, putting Streetman out at third. Madison singled to score Mason and Davidson. Gabriela Lopez singled, and Blair scored on an error. Samantha Coker singled, and Faith Hollingsworth singled to score Lopez.
McLennan got on the board with a run in the top of the second as Wideman doubled and scored on a single by Rebeca Fajardo.
The Lady Lions final two runs came in the bottom of the second as Streetman singled and scored on Davidson's home run.
The Highlassies rounded out the scoring with Wideman's home run in the top of the fourth.
McLennan returns to action Saturday at Bosque River Ballpark, hosting Cisco for a noon doubleheader.
McLennan 11, North Central 0
McLennan 003 44 – 11 13 0
North Central 000 00 – 0 3 3
Emily Klanika and Kaitlin Richards. Maidsyn Hargrove, Jada Muller (4), Rand Dobbins (4) and Samantha Coker. WP: Klanika; LP: Hargrove. Leading hitters – McLennan: Kaelin Morkisch (3-3), Kaitlin Richards (3-4, 2 RBI), Arianna Perales (2-4, 2B, 3 RBI), Sophie Wideman (2-3, RBI), Emeri Eubanks (1-3, RBI) and Charley Avery (1-3, 3B, RBI). Record: McLennan 19-11 (10-4).
North Central 6, McLennan 2
McLennan 010 100 0 – 2 5 3
North Central 420 000 x – 6 13 1
Carla Torres and Sophie Wideman. Gabriela Lopez and Samantha Coker. WP: Lopez; LP: Torres. Leading hitters – McLennan: Olivia Lantigua (2-3), Sophie Wideman (2-3, 2B, HR, RBI) and Rebeca Fajardo (1-3, RBI); North Central: Brooklyn Mason (3-3), Payton Davidson (1-4, HR, 2 RBI), Madison Blair (3-4, 2B, 2 RBI) and Faith Hollingsworth. (1-3, RBI). Record: McLennan 19-12 (10-5).