Conference-leading McLennan Softball sweeps Ranger
The conference-leading McLennan Highlassies picked up another doubleheader sweep on the road today in Ranger
McLennan got the 10-1 run-rule victory over the Lady Rangers in game one with Emily Klanika picking up the win in the circle.
The Highlassies began the scoring with two runs in the top of the second inning as Ariana Perales walked and scored on Emeri Eubanks' home run.
Two more McLennan runs scored in the top of the third as Olivia Lantigua singled and scored on a Kaitlin Richards home run.
Ranger's only run came in the bottom of the fifth. Mercedes Vergara was hit by the pitch and Amanda Perez singled. Sidney Garza hit into a double play, putting herself and Perez out. Allyson Rodriguez then doubled to score Vergara.
McLennan secured the run rule with six runs in the top of the sixth inning. Perales singled and scored on a double by Eubanks. Destiny Sanchez replaced Eubanks at second as a pinch runner and scored on a single by Lindy Alexander. Alexander advanced to third on a wild pitch. Genisa Marrero-Carter followed with a triple to score Alexander. Kaelin Morkisch then singled to score Marrero-Carter. Morkisch stole second and Lantigua doubled. Richards then doubled to score Morkisch and Lantigua.
Game two was an offensive battle with Carla Torres picking up the 17-15 win in the circle for the Highlassies.
Ranger jumped out to a two-run lead in the bottom of the first as Illeana Salinas tripled and scored on a Rodriguez home run.
McLennan took the lead with three runs in the second. With two outs recorded, Brooke Arnold walked and scored on a Marrero-Carter home run. Morkisch then singled, moved to second on an error and scored on a single by Lantigua.
The Lady Rangers tied the game with a run in the bottom of the third as Salinas walked and scored on a double by Rodriguez.
The Highlassies exploded for eight runs in the top of the fourth inning. Marrero-Carter led off with a triple and scored on a Ranger error. Lantigua singled and Richards walked. Sanchez replaced Lantigua as the runner at second, and Charley Avery replaced Richards at first. Perales doubled to score Sanchez, and Avery scored on a wild pitch. Sophie Wideman walked and stole second. Eubanks singled to score Perales, and Alexander doubled to score Wideman and Eubanks. Arnold and Marrero-Carter both singled to load the bases. Morkisch reached first safely on an error, bringing Alexander in to score. Arnold then scored on a passed ball.
Ranger responded with five runs in the bottom of the fourth. Abby Luna led off with a solo home run. Raegan Vancour drew a walk but was out at second on a fielder's choice by Vergara. Caitlyn Rangel singled and Rodriguez doubled to score Vergara. Alyssa Berlanga was hit by the pitch, loading the bases. Elizabeth Battle was also hit by the pitch, bringing Rangel in to score. Jackie Hernandez singled to score Rodriguez and Berlanga.
Four more McLennan runs scored in the top of the sixth. Marrero-Carter singled and scored on a single by Lantigua. Lantigua moved to second on the throw and advanced to third on a passed ball. Richards walked, and Lantigua stole home. Perales doubled to score Richards, and Wideman singled to score Perales.
Ranger took the lead with five runs in the bottom of the sixth. Salinas and Rodriguez both walked and advanced on a wild pitch. Battle walked to load the bases. Salinas scored on a fielder's choice by Hernandez. Luna walked to load the bases. Perez followed with a grand slam.
The Highlassies' final two runs came in the top of the seventh. Destiny Perry reached first and moved to second on an error and was replaced by runner Rebeca Fajardo. Marrero-Carter singled and Fajardo scored. Morkisch then singled to score Marrero-Carter.
Ranger rounded out the scoring with two runs in the bottom of the seventh as Salinas singled and scored on a Rodriguez home run.
McLennan returns to action Wednesday, traveling to Hillsboro for a 1 p.m. doubleheader at Hill.
McLennan 10, Ranger 1
McLennan 022 006 – 10 13 0
Ranger 000 010 – 1 5 0
Emily Klanika and Kaitlin Richards. Dariann Smith, Macey Fogelman (7) and Allyson Rodriguez. WP: Klanika (8K); LP: Smith. Leading hitters – McLennan: Kaelin Morkisch (*2-4, RBI), Olivia Lantigua (2-4), Kaitlin Richards (4-4, 2 2B, HR, 4 RBI), Emeri Eubanks (2-3, 2B, HR, 3 RBI), Lindy Alexander (1-3, RBI) and Genisa Marrero-Carter (1-3, 3B, RBI); Ranger: Allyson Rodriguez (2-3, 2B, RBI) and Alyssa Berlanga (1-2, 2B). Record: 16-8 (7-1).
McLennan 17, Ranger 15
McLennan 030 804 2 – 17 19 1
Ranger 201 505 2 – 15 10 7
Carla Torres, Destiny Guerra (6), Lindy Alexander (7) and Sophie Wideman. Paige Smith, Jackie Hernandez (4), Macey Fogleman (7) and Allyson Rodriguez. WP: Torres; LP: Smith. Leading hitters – McLennan: Kaelin Morkisch (2-6, 2 RBI), Olivia Lantigua (3-5, 2 RBI), Ariana Perales (2-5, 2 2B, 2 RBI), Sophie Wideman (2-3, 3B, RBI), Emeri Eubanks (2-5, RBI), Lindy Alexander (1-5, 2B, 2 RBI) and Genisa Marrero-Carter (5-5, 3B, HR, 2 RBI); Ranger: Illeana Salinas (2-3), Allyson Rodriguez (4-4, 6 RBI), Elizabeth Battle (0-3, RBI), Jackie Hernandez (1-2, 3 RBI), Abby Luna (1-2, RBI) and Amanda Perez (1-1, 4 RBI). Record: McLennan 17-8 (8-1).