The McLennan Highlassies captured the Region V North Championship in McKinney Sunday afternoon, punching their ticket to the NJCAA Division I Softball National Championship to be held May 18-21 in St. George, Utah.
McLennan came into Championship Sunday as the only undefeated team in the tournament. But, the Highlassies came up short in the first game, falling to Temple 4-3 to force the "if necessary game" to determine the champion.
Kayleigh Williams took the loss for the Highlassies in the circle of game one. Williams held Temple to only four hits and struck out six.
McLennan got on the board with one run in the top of the first. Dariann Resendez drew a lead-off walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Marisa Flores. Resendez moved to third on a single by Theresa Gonzales and scored on a passed ball.
The Highlassies added two runs in the top of the seventh. Flores tripled and scored on an overthrow. Victoria Gonzales then singled and scored on a single by Serena Saldivar.
Temple stole the win with four runs in the bottom of the seventh. Sara Ralston singled and Stephanie Marmolejo drew a walk. Mackenzy McDermott was safe at first on a McLennan error, bringing Ralston in to score. Addie Vayas followed with a triple to score Marmolejo and McDermott. With no outs on the board, Jacquelin Chapa and Lexi Smith were given intentional walks. Carolina Flores then drew a walk, bringing Vayas in to score and end the game.
The Highlassies were hitting on all cylinders in the final game, run-ruling the Lady Leopards 9-0 in five innings. Vannessa Castro got the win in the circle, allowing only two hits.
McLennan scored five runs in the top of the second. Saldivar, Andrea Gonzales and Haley Webre all walked, loading the bases. Angelina Camacho followed with a triple, scoring all three runners. Flores drew a walk. Theresa Gonzales then tripled to score Camacho and Flores.
Saldivar's solo home run in the third put McLennan up 6-0.
The Highlassies added a run in the fourth as Flores singled, moved to second on a ground out by Theresa Gonzales, advanced to third on a ground out by Victoria Gonzales and scored on a single by Elizabeth Svienty.
McLennan rounded out the scoring with two runs in the top of the fifth. Resendez singled and Flores walked. Both runners scored on a double by Theresa Gonzales.
Temple 4, McLennan 3
McLennan 100 000 2 – 3 9 1
Temple 000 000 4 – 4 4 0
Kayleigh Williams and Andrea Gonzales. Lexi Smith and Sara Ralston. WP: Smith; LP: Ralston. Leading hitters – McLennan: Marisa Flores (2-3, 3B), Victoria Gonzales (3-3), Haley Webre (1-3, 2B) and Serena Saldivar (1-4, RBI): Temple: Mackenzy McDermott (0-3, RBI) and Addie Vayas (2-3, 3B, 2 RBI). Record: McLennan 41-12 (26-6).
McLennan 9, Temple 0
McLennan 051 12 – 9 9 3
Temple 000 00 – 0 2 0
Vannessa Castro and Andrea Gonzales. Lexi Smith, Carrigan Chambers (3) and Sara Ralston. WP: Castro; LP: Smith. Leading hitters – McLennan: Theresa Gonzales (2-4, 2B, 3B, 4 RBI), Serena Saldivar (1-1, HR, RBI), Elizabeth Svienty (1-3, RBI) and Angelina Camacho (1-3, 3B, 3 RBI). Record: McLennan 42-12 (26-6).
